Biosecurity???

[acates]

I have 6 pullets that are almost 3 months old. I have had them since they were just a day or two. I am getting a sebright hen and roo this week. They are 3 months old as well. I am worried about biosecurity. How can I make sure no one gets sick? This is the first time I have raised chickens so any advise would be great!

 

[cafarmgirl]

Quarantine the new birds well away from the existing birds for 30 days. In a garage or shed is preferable since some diseases spread so easily on the air but also on clothing, shoes, skin, even your hair. Take care of the new birds last, never go to the coop after caring for them, and never wear the same clothing or shoes to the coop that you wore when caring for the new ones. Quarantine is no guarantee that they won't be carriers of something but hopefully if they are you will see some sign of it while they are quarantined. It may seem like a lot of effort and some people may tell you it's not necessary to go to the trouble....BUT, if you've ever had a respiratory disease or other communicable disease outbreak, as we have here, you will find it well worth it. That is not a road you want to go down if you can avoid it at all.

 

[acates]

Quarantine the new birds well away from the existing birds for 30 days.  In a garage or shed is preferable since some diseases spread so easily on the air but also on clothing, shoes, skin, even your hair.  Take care of the new birds last, never go to the coop after caring for them, and never wear the same clothing or shoes to the coop that you wore when caring for the new ones.  Quarantine is no guarantee that they won't be carriers of something but hopefully if they are you will see some sign of it while they are quarantined.  It may seem like a lot of effort and some people may tell you it's not necessary to go to the trouble....BUT, if you've ever had a respiratory disease or other communicable disease outbreak, as we have here, you will find it well worth it.  That is not a road you want to go down if you can avoid it at all. 

Wow 30 days!! All I have is a brooder and 1 Coop. I don't know how happy they could be locked up in a tiny cage for 30 days. Are there any signs that they could be sick or carriers of a disease?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well you definitely don't want to lock them in a tiny cage, you would need a reasonable amount of space. Birds can be carriers of a respiratory disease and show no signs at all for some time, although stress often brings on an outbreak. Moving to a new home is stressful so you'll often see signs in new birds during quarantine if they have anything. You want to watch for runny noses, coughing, sneezing, runny or bubbly eyes, odd breathing sounds. Some people quarantine 2 weeks, 30 days is best. But you have to do what you have to do. Where the birds are coming from can help you decide. If they are coming from a reputable breeder that you know and can trust you might do a shorter quarantine. When you don't know the background of the birds, such as birds from the feed store, from an auction or swap, then a longer quarantine is highly recommended.

 

[acates]

Well the man I am getting them from bought them from cackle hatchery. He has had them for three months. He can't have roos in town so said I could get the pair. He says they are healthy. I know its hard to tell. I herd one of my chicks sneeze twice today. That doesn't mean she is sick, right? I am sure its normal every once in a while. Thanks