Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[megalin]

Hello,

We got our lovely first ladies home yesterday! A buff orp pekin bantam and new hampshire bantam.

They all got up and went out to eat and drink this morning with no problems, a bit of pecking....

When we were bringing them home I kept hearing sneezing from the back and this has continued

with the bantams.... They were kept outside at the hatchery with little shelter and I'm wondering if they've

been getting quite wet there and that's why they're sick..... They both went back into the house after breakfast and have not come back into the run. I'm worried as they're just sitting in there sneezing and are quite subdued.

I've gone and ordered some poultry spice and nutri drops, gave them some garlic powder this morning.

Any ideas on what to do until the above arrive?

Will post pics when they're settled, not disturbing them too much at the moment!

 

megalin

[CluckyBucks]

Hi there

 

Well congrats on your new girls Its possible that they have just caught a cold, thus feel under the weather. You have done the right thing by buying nutri drops, it should help the sneezing calm down alot I would just encourage them to eat and drink if they are not already and just keep a general eye on them. As they are in a new environment they are bound to be cautious and slow, it should stop once they are used to theier new home

 

Hope this helps

 

xx xx

[Redwing]

Sniffles and sneezes are quite common after hens have been moved but its not normal to buy them while they are sick - a good breeder should hold off selling any if they have illness in the flock - its just not fair to the buyer

 

I would be inclined to contact the breeder for advice - a good breeder will be able to tell you how to treat it and maybe even offer treatment free of charge - it really depends how good they are!

 

If you cant face doing that then buy some Citricidal (a liquid you add to their water) and while you wait for that to arrive just keep the chickens sheltered and dry

[megalin]

Oh yes I got some citricidal too actually..... * They're nice and dry in there now so fingers crossed for them.

I think I will contact the breeder too as the other girls might need some shelter and TLC!

Maybe I'll pop some extra straw in there and they can huddle up together and get cozy!

Bless them they're so lovely I can't stop staring!

[coco]

Hi Megalin.

i got three new girls on Sat and one of them is sneezing a bit, I've been putting Citricidal in her water. I may give her some nutridrops tonight just to give her a boost. colds can be brought on when a hen is stressed such as being moved to a new home.

[megalin]

Thanks for all your lovely replies....This is such an inviting forum!

Nutri drops and citricidal came today, I've put some in their water as I'm not trying to handle them just yet, they're stressed enough anyway. Both the sick ladies are drinking and eating lots but aren't really looking or sounding any better yet.

The poor things.... What a stressful week!

[Steve the Gas]

Imo, if the sneezing continues for a couple of days more , they may need ABs = vets. I used Tylan - it worked miracles for mine, 'cos it was spreading...........

[megalin]

I think you might be right Steve, I think I'll give it another day and if not improvement will make

an appointment, one of them had a bit of a gooey eye today too and her nose is quite blocked.... Plus they're both being harassed a bit from the orp and not going outside, not sure if this is just establishing the pecking order? ..... It's a sad introduction to chicken keeping and I'm quite cross with the breeder, It's not fair on any of us, especially the feathered friends.

[Steve the Gas]

I found that the 'cold' they had was just a bother to them, but can't be nice to be dribbling all the time, they still ate and drank normally, but the ABs saw it off quick style.

[Christian]

If the liquid from her nostrils isn't clear, but I would get them to the vet soonish. A gunky eye doesn't sound too good really.

[megalin]

Funny, they've perked up today but it's on and off one minute they're running around and the next they're looking lethargic and sleepy eyed. Think I will book them in to the vets on monday as I cant get an appointment today, just incase.....

[Christian]

Hens often take power naps Megalin, so that is ok. As long as they are eating and drinking, they should be ok, but as you say, best to get them checked over by a vet just to be sure.

 

Hope they are both ok.

[megalin]

Yes I'm so glad they're eating and drinking (loads actually) Seems like when I disturb them and bring food or something they perk up and their combs flush more red and look better then if I sit and watch them quietly they go droopy

sniffly and open and close their mouths like they can't breathe through their nostrils..... (Sorry to go on everyone! Just new to all this, nothing to compare to but I know what sickness looks like!)

 

I'll give it another day and see.....

[Powerlady]

Good luck..let us know how you get on

[Auntie FiFi]

Hi Megalin. I had exactly this last January when I bought some bantams home. I got Baytril antibiotics which I had to syringe into their beaks twice a day but it did the trick. Mine sounded very rattley and blocked up. Keeping my fingers crossed for you x

[Redwing]

It sounds like Mycoplasma

 

Bayril from the vets will do the trick - Tylan is better but its not licenced for use in laying hens so vets can be reluctant to prescribe it

[beach chick]

I stupidly brought some girls with myco... your vet should be able to just look at one of them, and if it is myco then prescribe for all. having said that, it's a nasty infection which doesnt actually go away, so if you are planning to introduce new girls you have to accept that the newbies might also pick it up - horrible never-ending circle. they can still be happy, but they may never be the productive layers you are hoping for. sorry to be the bearer of bad news

[Nature Chick]

Hi

I got Daisy and Lily a couple of months ago and Daisy has been sneezing on and off ever since. I have tried garlic, citiricidal, nutri-drops and spice but nothing has worked. They have a dry run over winter so it can't be that. She looks really healthy apart from the sneezing and lays every day and neither of the other hens have any symptoms. I am taking her to the vet tomorrow though as I am worried it isn't clearing up on its own.

Hope your girls are feeling better. I did contact my breeder who offered to replace Daisy but I was too attached by then!

Fingers crossed

S

[megalin]

Just an update!

(I'm so addicted to this forum....I've become chicken and omlet obsessed!)

I took little Bonnie to the Vets and they've given us some Baytril, they are better and better

each day and I'm hoping it will continue.

I give it to them with some mango which is their favorite thing at the moment

would recommend to all chicken spoilers!