I decided to post a new thread since the other one just got buried.
So, these are all the details. I bought four 14-16 week old standard Cochins two days ago. The seller had them cramped in a very small box on a hot day, and they were obviously very stressed. On the road home, one was making odd noises and now I realize I'm pretty sure she was coughing. Brought them back home, they were very stressed from the heat and the move, but I made them comfortable and soon they started perking up. The next day one pullet was sneezing, coughing, breathing heavily, and she looked like she had some yellow nasal discharge (this quickly cleared up and hasn't returned since.) The others looked and acted fine. All are eating/drinking normally from what I can see. Then the next day a couple more started sneezing with runny noses (clear and not thick). The one that was coughing, her eyes now look slightly wet.
I'm very uncomfortable having them close to our current flock, even though they are quarantined. I've heard that most respiratory diseases are highly contagious and spread super fast. My dilemma is this: if they do have a respiratory disease then I want to get them out of there ASAP, but I'm not sure the seller will believe they are actually sick (we already messaged him and he told us not to worry; that they are completely healthy.) I'm not 100% sure they do have a respiratory disease though, and I don't want to get rid of them until I know for sure, since I would love to add them to my flock if at all possible.
I'm constantly worrying about this and I just need to come to a decision about what to do. Can I get anyone's opinion?
So, these are all the details. I bought four 14-16 week old standard Cochins two days ago. The seller had them cramped in a very small box on a hot day, and they were obviously very stressed. On the road home, one was making odd noises and now I realize I'm pretty sure she was coughing. Brought them back home, they were very stressed from the heat and the move, but I made them comfortable and soon they started perking up. The next day one pullet was sneezing, coughing, breathing heavily, and she looked like she had some yellow nasal discharge (this quickly cleared up and hasn't returned since.) The others looked and acted fine. All are eating/drinking normally from what I can see. Then the next day a couple more started sneezing with runny noses (clear and not thick). The one that was coughing, her eyes now look slightly wet.
I'm very uncomfortable having them close to our current flock, even though they are quarantined. I've heard that most respiratory diseases are highly contagious and spread super fast. My dilemma is this: if they do have a respiratory disease then I want to get them out of there ASAP, but I'm not sure the seller will believe they are actually sick (we already messaged him and he told us not to worry; that they are completely healthy.) I'm not 100% sure they do have a respiratory disease though, and I don't want to get rid of them until I know for sure, since I would love to add them to my flock if at all possible.
I'm constantly worrying about this and I just need to come to a decision about what to do. Can I get anyone's opinion?
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