What is the easiest way to introduce new chickens to an existing flock?

[paddywacker123]

Hi,

 

My 10 month old Minorca hen Valentine has been making a gurgling noise for the past 2 days. She seems to be eating ok and drinking but the noise worries me. She also seems to want to sleep alot and will drift off standing up outside whilst the others go about thier business. None of the hens have laid for 10 days.All of this has occurred since I introduced a new 20 week old Bluebelle to the flock. All have been wormed with Verm-x but the noise continues. Valentine is the only one making this gurgle noise.

I thought the lack of eggs might be because a new girl arrived but now I think it might be something much worse. Could it be sour crop? I noticed some liquid come from her beak after she drinks.

[Groovychook]

Hi,

I don't know what the gurgling noise might be, but I do know that lots of people on the forum don't rate Verm-x.

A lot of us prefer to use Flubenvet. It might be worth giving it a go.

 

I hope somebody with a little more knowledge will be along to help you soon.

[Guest]

this site tells you all there is to know about the symptoms and treatment of sour crop

 

http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-identify-and-treat-sour-crop-in-chickens-a235571

 

 

I have to say though, I would have taken her to a vet by now either to be treated or PTS as she is obviously in distress.

[Falkor]

GroovyChooks is right, not everybody believes that Verm-x will actually worm your chooks.

 

I would treat everybody with Flubenvet or another wormer prescribed by your vet to be clear any worm burden they may have as this could be why they have stopped laying.

 

However the introduction of the new Bluebelle could have upset them too and this could also result in them going on laying strike too.

 

The gurgling Minorca sounds ominour especially if the issues you are experiencing have come about since introducing a new hen to the flock. She could of brought something in which your Minorca has come down with or the stress of the introduction has brought out an underlying illness in the Minorca.

 

If you hold her chest to your ear does she crackle/rattle? Could also be gape worm or possibly sour crop, what does her crop feel like and is she eating and drinking?

 

I think it would may best to get her to a vet for a check over and possible antibiotics for them all.

 

When introducing new birds to your flock it is advisable to keep them in quarantine for a week + to be sure that they are well before mixing them with your existing birds.

[furball]

Not sure how long you have had your girls but just a thought, if she is eating and drinking ok are you sure the noise is not the purring noise they make when content as oppose to a gurgling. Is it possible the falling asleep is because she is in a spot of sunshine and sunbathing, as we have only had a few days of sunny weather you might not have had chance to see this behaviour before, the water could just be droplets from dipping her beak when drinking, just trying to be optomistic.

[Plum]

She sounds poorly and if it's been a few days I'd get her to the vet rather than try home treatments. Hope you get on ok.