Omlet cube and run

[Chicken deficient]

My neighbour has recent got some new hybrids, from a reliable source, (from what I've read on here), but two of them are coughing, one of which is apparently also blowing bubbles out of her nostrils. It is what you would call a 'chesty cough'. They all seem bright and active though.

 

Soon their run will be moved to alongside mine, so a distance of maybe 5 metres will separate them, with a chain link rather than solid fence between them.

 

Given that they are vaccinated hybrids, should I be worried that they may infect my flock, or not? I keep thinking Mycoplasma...?

[suebee]

I immediately thought myco too. I believe vaccinated birds are just as much a threat, as they can carry illness, and shed it, often without showing symptoms themselves... (though it sounds like these are rather an unhealthy bunch, despite their vaccinations!) I'm not sure whether five metres would be enough. It would be nice of them to wait until their flock is clear of illness, before moving closer to yours. I wonder if they'd mind waiting?

[The Dogmother]

I would check with them that they've been to the vet and been treated.

 

If they are recent purchases, then they really ought to go back and talk to the supplier.

[Chicken deficient]

I did advise a while ago that she talk to the man she bought them from and in the meantime put acv and garlic in their water. I'll ask again and find out. My flock are unvaccinated pure breeds and I don't want to put them at risk.

 

Thanks

[The Dogmother]

Very wise of you.

 

It could be that the supplier she got them from has an infected flock, or that they just picked it up from the local wild birds in their new garden; their immune systems would have been slightly weaker due to the stress of moving. If they came with the infection then any supplier worth his salt would offer to take them back for a refund or replacement birds. Personally I'd accept a refund and buy new birds elsewhere if they suspect that the supplier's flock is infected.

[Redwing]

How long have the hens been sick?

 

I would ask the neighbours not to move the hens until they are showing no symptoms, they should be treated with antibiotics. If it is Myco they will always be carriers of it so still a risk but personally I dont think it sounds severe enough to be Myco

 

I would also put up some sort of screen between the run and your run/garden, even something a couple of feet high would help

[Chicken deficient]

Several of them have been coughing and sneezing since she got them, about 3 weeks ago now.

I checked one of them over today - she had a bubbly discharge from her eye, which was surrounded with soft swelling. She also had lots of lice and was thin with an empty crop. Another I've seen regularly standing around with her tail drooping - of the 8 only a couple appear symptom-free, but I've only really examined one.

 

There was an offer for them to be treated with antibiotics at the suppliers, but given the worry and uncertain cause and therefore potential for carriers / complications, she is going to return the whole flock tomorrow, disinfect everything and then move the run. Currently there is about 30m or so and a hedge between our runs.

 

Now you mention it, there is actually a low barrier (about 2ft if that) at the bottom of the chain link fence, but when the eventual new hens arrive, I will follow your advice and hang a tarp along the fence for the first few weeks.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for my neighbour - it's not a happy start to chicken keeping.