The Poultry Health & Hatching Forum

Quarantine Birds

I was just wondering how long people quarantine new birds. I quarantine all new birds for minimum 3/4 weeks to make sure they have no illness. I have read people quarantine for 6wks to 12wks. If new birds have been medicated it will mask symptoms of illness so that is why I keep them quarantined for 3/4wks.

I still have birds in Q after Gort show and will contuine too. Perfect looking when purchased, but the following morning one of the pullets had a runny nostril. I was far from impressed. Thankfully due to past experience and good advice these birds had not joined the main flock.

1 month here and well away and isolated from the rest.

Bea

Daragh W how many wks do you normally quarantine new birds for?. Bea 1 month, is it long enough with the new antibiotic that are used on birds today?. I was thinking of keeping them in for 6wks?

None of the birds I bought in Gort came down with anything. The ducklings were poorly but that was more due to the fact of too many of them in a box at the sale and they have been thriving since, getting HUGE!

Sarah,Even luck run outs

I think you may have misunderstood, I DO quarantine. I just thought I mention the fact that not every bird bought necessarily has to come down with something.

I am well aware of animal husbandry and the quarantine process, I've been doing it for years with the dogs I am taking from pounds.

I found this on www.debsbirds.com, might seem a bit much but i apply much th same routine with my bantams

Q: What do you do with new birds?
A: Quarantine Procedure - Before entering the aviary, new birds go through this extensive quarantine procedure:
◦Day 1:
FOR BUGS: Mist birds & carrier with Avian Insect Liquidator, apply 1 drop Scatt to each bird, apply GSE solution (mix 5-10 drops GSE in 1 Tbsp. water & dap on legs/feet)
FOR STRESS: Guardian Angel in water
◦Days 2-3:
FOR BACTERIA: Bleach Solution: 1 drop regular bleach to 2 oz. of distilled or bottled water. (For explanation, refer to "Problems With Finches" by Robert Black)
◦Days 4-5:
FOR WORMS: Worm-Out Gel in water (you may wish to add Nestles strawberry syrup so they will drink it)
◦Days 6-12:
FOR PROTOZOA: Ronivet-S in water
◦Days 13-14:
ADD BENEFICIAL BACTERIA: Bio-Plus in water

Sorry Sarah I do understand, Read the question, Look at you reply.

Sorry Martin, from now on I will answer questions only and will refrain from posting about my experiences ;).

LOL Sorry Sarah all input welcome . How long would you quarantine new birds for?

As Bea, 4 weeks. But I am new to all this so I took my cue from her (who is the one responsible for me being bitten by the poultry bug - no quarantine period for that disease ;) ).

1 month if no symptoms are shown. longer where and if required and should the bird/s require treatment.
For instance I bought 3 pullets, isolated them, 2 were find and joined the flock, 1 remained isolated as she had been sneezing. Weirdly, none of her "sister" I bought along with her showed any symptoms and no symptoms in the flock they joined, either. This is over a period of 4 months.

Bea

looks like only one out of four will be joiuning the flock. lost 3 pullets after two trips to the vet. thank god they were seperate. I met the seller of the birds in roscommon today and was far from impressed with his attitude or the dirty looks from him and his son during the day. Poor form from this breeder!!!

Darragh W bet you he had a jeep and trailer?

in gort yes and in roscommon a white van and trailer. Very put out regarding the attitude. Wont be dealing with them again. very put out that the birds passed away had being looking for them for a while.

oh he is at that a long time,couple years now since he stung me and answered my 1st phone call and would not answer again,and its a long drive from clare back up to sligo,did you get them tested if so what were the results back from them