[cock o the north]

I have arranged to pick up 8 utility light sussex from a local breeder on 12th september they will be 20 weeks old . The breeder was recommended to me but what questions would you ask him if you were me ... im frightend i forget something ! and im new to the game really , have'nt kept poultry for 30 years ! thanks in advance .

[Vember]

Think my first question would be regarding any medication/injections they may or maynot have had? Have they been wormed?

Where have they been kept ie mixed with other birds older than them?




Will no doubt think of more



Sarah

[orfy]

What have they been feed on so you can give them what you know they will eat.

[Aunt Sally]

Scroll down this articlr to thr bit at the bottom "what to look out for when buying chickrens"  http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19629

I would ask what they have been vaccinated against.  They should at least have been vaccinated at day old for Marek's Disease.

Additional vaccinations that a big breader would give are:

Salmonella
Salminella Enteriditis
Coccidiosis
Infectious Bursal Disease
Gumborough Disease
Infectious Bronchitis
Newcastle Disease
Infectious Laryngotracheitis
Avian Encephalomyelitis
Egg Drop Syndrome 1976

Only large breeders do this as it is expensive to do and will put the price of the birds up.  It will potentially save you ££££££ in treatments and vets bills though !

[chookiepaula]

I would always ask:
- Exact age
- Current feeding regime (whether on growers/layers etc)
- Vaccine/worming/parasite status as someone has already said

Then physically check:
- Condition of feet
- Bright eyes
- Clean nostrils
- Good smooth feathers (although birds will mooult in late summer so may look little ruffled!)
- Feel breast bone and ensure its not too pointy indicating its undernourished

How exciting, its great getting new animals! Good luck and enjoy them. Although you say its been a while since you kept them itll come flooding back!

[Mr Chookles]

The ones I bought had been vaccinated for marrecks and newcastles,there are other vaccinations listed on the invoice but they are abbreviated so iam not sure,anyone know what IB,EDS and ILT are  :?:

[Vember]

Looking at what Aunt Sally has written above I'd go with

IB = Infectious Bronchitis

EDS  = Egg Drop Syndrome

ILT  = Infectious Laryngotracheitis


Just guessing mind



Sarah