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

[fluffyknickers]

Hi all,

I had chickens a few years ago and the sadly had to stop and happily circumstances meant I now have them again. Picked up 5 new girls Saturday. Two of them are silkies and today I noticed they both had bad eyes - swollen, closed, weepy, foamy.

 

I have bathed in cold tea and they are now in a dog crate separated from other girls.

 

Other girls look ok at moment.

 

What would you do to treat and what about other girls they've been with for 6 days.

 

Your help and advice is appreciated.

 

Michelle

[mollyripkim]

I know stress of moving can make them poorly, might be worth giving them a tonic. Personally I get really panicky if they are ill and go to the vet. Might be worth getting advice from where you bought them. Hope they are ok.

[Egluntyne]

Sounds like mycoplasma. The upheaval of the move will have brought it out.

[fluffyknickers]

Thank you.

How do you treat it?

Michelle

[fluffyknickers]

I just read about it, now I'm really worried.

Do we just have them pts for best?

http://poultrykeeper.com/respiratory-problems/mycoplasma

[Egluntyne]

I would contact the breeder first of all and ask that they take them back.

[Beantree]

Were all five of these new hens bought from the same place Fluffyknickers? I ask because it may be that the two Silkies caught something from the other three. As said, it sounds like Mycoplasma, but the breeder who supplied them should be contacted in this respect.

[fluffyknickers]

Yes all five from same place.

Told they were vaccinated- so does this mean included mycoplasma?

I would have to demand money back as wouldn't want five more as they will all potentially have it. Plus I read need to clean and then wait two weeks before more chickens.

Anyone had test for mycoplasma before as should I confirm before getting rid?

I'm so upset about it.

Michelle

[fluffyknickers]

Thank you for all your help.

They've gone back to breeder today and I got a refund. I feel very sad.

Will clean everything and leave a few weeks and look again and find a breeder.

Thank you.

[Egluntyne]

Good result. Not very nice for you to have had to cope with this though.

[Beantree]

Vaccinated could mean immunised; they have all been given ILT, IB and one or both strains of Mycoplasma. These are live viruses which can flare up in moments of stress (like moving) and can also infect any non-immunised birds. Many others have had similar experiences to you, us included.

 

We won't take any immunised chickens now because the risk to our flock. What you need to decide is what you are going to get as replacements Fluffyknickers and if you are prepared to risk reoccurrence? Our preference is to buy from small 'hobby' flock Pedigree breeders who are not there to make a profit and don't keep their birds in conditions or numbers that warrant immunisation. You would need to select a breed and then contact the members of the breed club register. In our case we breed Blue Laced Wyandottes every few years, simply to maintain our existing flock with any surplus birds sold to recover some of the expenses.

 

This years pullets will be about 10 weeks old now, so you may need to wait several months before you get eggs. In the meantime you can concentrate on getting them very tame and easily handleable.