Neglected Chicken Care

[toastyteddy]

I am in the process of trying to get a flock of (what used to be 15) 6 birds, about a year of age. They have been heavily neglected and abused by their owners, not being fed for weeks, no fresh water or water at all for a week or more at a time, and being closed up in a coop. They haven't laid eggs for a very long time now. I inspected them a while ago and they're skin and bones and I believe one or two had sniffles.

I hope to have them by this next weekend, but I have some issues/questions. I have a flock already of 16 birds (4 red stars, 5 black stars, 3 anacondas, 3 road island reds, and a mallard duck) who are ranging from 1-3 years of age. I have a huge rabbit hutch that can quarantine the new arrivals and I have antibiotics that go in the waters. So how do I go about introducing them to the older flock, what should I look for in the new arrivals, and how long should I quarantine them for?

Tips or suggestions? Advice?

 

[Cassandra Lana]

I would have the new arrivals gain weight before you introduce them. Once they are introduced it would be hard to put weight on them and not the other birds.

Also I have anaconas too!

 

[dawg53]

Do NOT bring ANY of those 6 neglected birds anywhere near your existing flock. Avoid them at all costs. Dont even bother quarantining them. Dont handle them or anything, stay away from them.
SNIFFLES = Respiratory disease which WILL easily spread to your flock, even on your person. You've been warned!
You can call the Humane Society or animal control to deal with them.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do NOT bring ANY of those 6 neglected birds anywhere near your existing flock. Avoid them at all costs. Dont even bother quarantining them. Dont handle them or anything, stay away from them.
SNIFFLES = Respiratory disease which WILL easily spread to your flock, even on your person. You've been warned!
You can call the Humane Society or animal control to deal with them.

X2. You are noble for wanting to help them, but you will be dooming your exhisting flocks to possible chronic diseases for life.

 

[Mellowmalt]

I will chime a x3. To me the chances of you infecting your 16 birds is just not worth it. All you will have achieved is killing your 16 birds.
If that is a risk you are willing to take then by all means. My (soon to be 17 by tomorrow I hope) would be too valuable to risk it with. I know even just touching a sick bird is a risk.