Bringing a new chicken home without a strict physical inspection is the fastest way to crash your entire flock. Regardless of how much you want them, or how incredibly cheap the price tag is-if a bird doesn’t tick EVERY SINGLE ONE of these basic boxes, walk away. It is simply not worth the biosecurity risk, the future heartache, or the health of your existing flock.
Beyond the physical check, ask the seller these two questions:
When was their last worming date, and what exact product was used?
Have they been preventatively treated for external parasites (lice/mites)? If so, with what, and when?
(A reputable breeder or seller who wish to sell chickens to others…. they should be able to answer these basic questions immediately.)
Yes, we smell the chickens. It might look a bit ridiculous, but it is one of the most simple but effective biosecurity checks you can do when you purchase chickens.
When a chicken gets a respiratory infection, their body creates mucus. But unlike humans, chickens do not have the enzyme required to break that mucus down, and they obviously can’t blow their noses.
Instead, that mucus builds up in their upper respiratory tract, eventually turning into a soft, cheese-like substance that slowly dries out.
Even if the bird looks completely recovered, acts healthy, and has clear eyes, that hidden buildup produces a very distinct, sour smell. Trust us, you won’t miss it. If the bird you are going to buy do have some odd smell -> Put the bird down, wash your hands, and walk away.
Why does this matter? Because a bird carrying that smell is often a lifelong carrier of the illness. Bringing them home means permanently risking the health of your existing flock.
A simple sniff around the beak and nares can save you from a devastating outbreak. Don’t be shy about doing it. Trust your nose.
This is the exact, intensive health checklist(plus a few more details) we go through every single time we hand over our pullets. It sounds like a lot, but it doesn’t take long once you know exactly what you are looking for.
Even if a bird passes this visual check, ALWAYS quarantine new additions for a minimum of 14-30 days before introducing them to your flock.
Don’t gamble with your flock’s health. It will cost you more than just money.
