Do you quarantine a bird from a friend?

[happymom99]

I am getting my first chickens in 3 weeks. They will be between 9 and 16 weeks of age. I was going to buy five but now a friend of mine told me that she has a friend (who has a friend) who needs to find a home for her Ameraucana who just started laying. My friend knows I was going to buy an Easter Egger so she called to see if I wanted this one. Apparently there is a very sweet little old lady who is very stressed out about finding this chicken a home. Also, my friend went to where the Ameraucana is currently living and she said she is a sweet bird and very beautiful and healthy and the environment is very clean.

Here is where I need help...
I would love to help out this sweet little old lady and just take this bird. It would be a win-win for everyone. I would get to help someone who needs help and I'd get a free already laying, very sweet bird. She would get to know that her chicken is going to a good home.

The thing is, I don't have a space to quarantine this bird, nor do I want the drama of doing that and then introducing her to the others, etc.

So....

Would I be crazy to just get the orphan bird on the same day I get my other 4 birds and put them all in together and hope for the best? What are the chances that this chicken could have some sickness or something that you can't really see that could get my other chickens sick?

Thank you,
CJ

 

[VelvettFog]

I think no worse then the chances you are taking with the birds already on their way.