I've seen lots of threads over the past couple of weeks where people are bringing new birds into their existing flocks. It's that time of year where we're all considering new additions, whether they be chicks or older birds.
Practice good flock management and utilize good biosecurity practices:
* keep new birds separate for a minimum of a month
* don't cross-contaminate - use different shoes, different feeders, different waters, and tools from one set of birds to another
* wash hands, clothing, and shoes thoroughly after attending poultry shows and before working with your own flock(s).
Other, more experienced, BYCers will certainly have more advice to add. If you take but one thing away from this thread, remember this:
DO NOT INTERMINGLE FLOCKS WITHOUT THOROUGH BIOSECURITY
Not convinced you should quarantine new birds? Read on for Gumpsgirl's cautionary tale:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=69444
ETA - More info on closed/open flocks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=130878
Practice good flock management and utilize good biosecurity practices:
* keep new birds separate for a minimum of a month
* don't cross-contaminate - use different shoes, different feeders, different waters, and tools from one set of birds to another
* wash hands, clothing, and shoes thoroughly after attending poultry shows and before working with your own flock(s).
Other, more experienced, BYCers will certainly have more advice to add. If you take but one thing away from this thread, remember this:
DO NOT INTERMINGLE FLOCKS WITHOUT THOROUGH BIOSECURITY
Not convinced you should quarantine new birds? Read on for Gumpsgirl's cautionary tale:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=69444
ETA - More info on closed/open flocks: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=130878
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