Duck Integration Information Overload

[Aunt Angus]

I am a glutton. I am picking up a rescued hen tomorrow. I will quarantine her for 30 days (poor, lonely thing - but I can't risk it with chickens!) and I am thinking of picking up a duck that someone a few towns over can't keep.

I read EVERY post and article I could find on the topic of duck quarantine periods. Some say 30 days. Some say 6-8 weeks. Some say 2 weeks. Others say 1 week, and still others say that quarantine isn't necessarily required with ducks. I have quarantined chickens before, so I know about how to quarantine. And this is 1 only little female I'll be adding to my flock of 4 females.

Is there a definitive answer for duck quarantine? Gahhhh! I'm on information overload!

 

[casportpony]

My biggest concern introducing new ducks would be Mycoplasma. 30 days should be fine.

 

[cavemanrich]

Sorry I cant help you very much here,,, I am one that is not really on the quarantine wagon. Let me explain my position, and reasoning.
REAL QUARANTINE is complex. You would need to keep your new arrival a considerable distance away, from the other flock members. In addition, you would need to change your clothing and shoes when you go from one to the other. Poultry inspectors do such when they go from one farm to the next.
But lets go to the reality of a mini quarantine... It is better than none at all. If you observe the new-comer with respiratory issues,,,then you would have to decline adding to your flock. I will leave those options to the individual to decide how to handle that.
I think a 2 week period of observation should show what the condition of new comers health is. We don't live in the IDEAL or perfect UNIVERSE.

I do practice BIO-SECURITY, when I visit other chicken keepers. Before going to their place, I shower,,,, I put on fresh clothes that have not been in contact with my chickens. My flock does not carry any diseases,,, that I am aware of.. but I do it for SAFETY MEASURES.

WISHING YOU BEST WITH new duckie

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am a glutton. I am picking up a rescued hen tomorrow. I will quarantine her for 30 days (poor, lonely thing - but I can't risk it with chickens!) and I am thinking of picking up a duck that someone a few towns over can't keep.

I read EVERY post and article I could find on the topic of duck quarantine periods. Some say 30 days. Some say 6-8 weeks. Some say 2 weeks. Others say 1 week, and still others say that quarantine isn't necessarily required with ducks. I have quarantined chickens before, so I know about how to quarantine. And this is 1 only little female I'll be adding to my flock of 4 females.

Is there a definitive answer for duck quarantine? Gahhhh! I'm on information overload!

That's so sweet of you @Aunt Angus

 

[Aunt Angus]

REAL QUARANTINE is complex. You would need to keep your new arrival a considerable distance away, from the other flock members. In addition, you would need to change your clothing and shoes when you go from one to the other.

This is what I attempted to do when I integrated 2 rescue hens. I had thr nee girls in a separate yard, and I wore coveralls, gloves, and a different pair of shoes when tending to them. Lol! I did my best to fo real quarantine. Don't know how well I executed it, though.

That's so sweet of you @Aunt Angus

Not sure DH sees it that way, but thanks! I feel kind of... obligated? I have the room and the means. Seems wrong to not help as long (as it's not detrimental to my existing flock).

 

[Miss Lydia]

My dh probably wouldn't see it my way either, but hard to turn down those that need rescued.

 

[Aunt Angus]

My dh probably wouldn't see it my way either, but hard to turn down those that need rescued.

Well, and since I do all the work with them and since I'm the primary breadwinner, I have a little leverage.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I agree, rarely does my dh mention how many birds I have. He knows it wouldn't do any good.

So are you going to pick them up?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I agree, rarely does my dh mention how many birds I have. He knows it wouldn't do any good.

So are you going to pick them up?

I am not sure yet. The person hasn't replied since our initial conversation.

Here's the duck in question:

 

[Aunt Angus]

What kind of breed (or mix) do you think she is?

Aaaaand it looks like the chicken adoption fell through. The hen has 2 chicks. I am not set up for chicks.

I am disappointed. Wish I'd known that first...