Advice for Chicken Quarantine in Garage

[Meryl 'peep]

Hi BYC peeps! I'm looking to integrate 3 new hens to my lonely flock of 1. Given my space constraints, I plan on using my garage as quarantine for the first few weeks.

I'm planning on getting a small kennel like this for them to sleep in/to transport them in when I need to: https://www.chewy.com/frisco-plastic-kennel-almond-black-/dp/147321

And a larger dog crate like this to let them spread their wings a bit and walk around: https://www.chewy.com/frisco-heavy-duty-single-door-dog-/dp/137159

I also considered something like this instead of the larger dog crate (though I'm a little worried about them flying over it): https://www.chewy.com/frisco-dog-exercise-pen-step-through/dp/125051

Does that combo sound like a decent one for this exercise? Would anyone else recommend differently?

(Also, I'm in San Francisco, so I'm not too concerned about heat or cold... but I imagine I will need to leave the light on most of the day)

 

[staceyj]

If you get the exercise pen you could go with the 30 inch then just drape a sheet over it and something to weigh it down. Nothing too heavy.
I used one of these outside in the yard in the daytime while we were getting our setup, set up!
The sheet was to provide shade and keep the hawks from bobbing for chickens.

It worked out great for me.

 

[aart]

Are you doing a 'real' quarantine?
Here's some tips:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

Bigger is better.....you could fashion a cover for the pen with a couple 2x2's and some chicken wire.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I assume by hens you mean relatively developed pullets or hens, not just-hatched chicks. Could you please mention their age?

In your garage you are not worried about predators. That makes it a lot easier. You are not worried about weather either. Save yourself some money, don't worry about something for them to sleep in, just provide a perch and keep the garage door closed. Are they old enough to need a nest to lay in?

They will be able to fly out but something really inexpensive like bird netting or deer netting will keep them in.

I couldn't tell the dimensions of that last one, height or possible width/length but you can configure it many different ways. I agree the more room the better, up to a limit. In your garage you may have some restrictions even if you don't have a vehicle in here.

I'd be tempted to get the 48" version of that last one and put a perch in there a foot or so off the floor is you won't have a nest. That will be high enough for this. I'd see if I could get an appliance box or three from an appliance store to use under it to protect your garage floor. You could use that 3 mil plastic sheeting, I'd get something heavier than a flimsy drop cloth of I went with plastic, they might scratch through it anyway, hence the preference for cardboard. Or you could use a sheet of plywood. Otherwise the poop will probably permanently stain the floor even with a fair amount of bedding. And cover it with something cheap like netting to keep them from flying out.

The chickens will scratch in there a lot. That means the bedding will probably go flying all over your garage. You might want to put something around the bottom 12"to 18" of that to contain the bedding.

I think you have a very good approach to your problem, just simplify it a bit. Good luck!!!

 

[Mrs. K]

Quarantine is a good idea, without a doubt, especially if I was a bit unsure of where I was getting the birds, but if I was risking one bird, I would not do it.

I am not sure what your plan is, but it would make more sense to put the new birds in the current set up, and put the single bird in the smaller cages. And with what you are spending on cages, you could buy a lot of birds.

If you are gun ho quarantine, it is a good thing to do, especially if your remaining bird or the birds you are getting are worth a great deal of money. If so, you might be better with an all out, all in plan.

However, to do quarantine correctly is a lot of work, and if you don't do it correctly, you may as well not do it, you can't cheat at quarantine.

Mrs K