Chicken bald back

[Sentiant]

Is this the norm as a friend of mine has just purchased some chooks to join his other two and after a day or two developed colds. I'm concerned as there from the same breeder as mine and I had a death due to a chest infection

[miller30]

Hi some birds don't handle moving to new homes that well and get a little stressed I always put something like herban in their water and deffo quarantine for at least 7 days as it can sometimes bring out myco and you wouldn't want all the birds to go down with it leanne

[The Dogmother]

Yes, the stress of a move can mean that they pick up a cold, so use a good poultry tonic in their water. But if it is more serious than a cold, then I'd be straight back to the breeder.

[Sentiant]

My friends chickens are eating and drinking and moving around OK but they have a nasal discharge and are sneezing/coughing. Now his original 2 hens are sneezing as well so he is not a happy bunny. Another worry i had is that they are from the same place i got mine, one of which died of a chest infection. The breeder said he will replace her but im concerned since my friend just got 2 and they are ill. If this is a common occurrence i will take him up on his offer of replacement (im making quarantine quarters to keep my Sussex safe), otherwise i think i will go elsewhere

[miller30]

Hi sorry to hear you and your friend are having problems now you have both had problems I would walk away and not use this breeder again but im sorry if I sound harsh your friend should never ever have put new birds in with his existing birds he needs to contact the breeder or take them back but he s now gonna have to get some antibiotics for his old birds as coughing too does not sound like your normal moving stress leanne

[The Dogmother]

I totally agree with Leanne - the breeder should offer to take the birds back and refund your money, and/or pay any vets fees incurred.

 

Listen to their chests - put your ears to their backs between the wings and listen to the breathing; if you hear any bubbling, wheezing or crackling, then they probably have a chest infection and need to go to the vet for antibs.

 

Which breeder is it (PM me if you prefer)?