How long do you quarantine for?

[brettzim]

11 days ago a hen relatively new to my flock had a runny nose and raspy breathing. I quarantined her and gave her sulmet in her water for two days. It took a couple days for her breathing to get back to normal and now she only has a slight amount of dampness in her nostrils. a few days after I pulled her out I noticed another new gal (both from the same place a couple weeks ago) with the same symptoms. So I pulled her as well. She still has the raspy breathing so will stay quarantined until she improves. But, how do I know when I can put the first hen back with the flock? I am not sure what they have. I just had two poultry vet visits, unrelated, so I would prefer to not add a third. I am hoping electrolytes, vitamins, rest and the sulmet will do the trick on the gurgly breathing and snot.

 

[theoldchick]

I quarantine poultry for 30 days. During that time the birds get medication for worms, lice, and observed for any illness and are treated accordingly.

By quarantine I mean the new birds are housed separately at least 100 yards from the existing flock and equipment that touches the new birds stays with the new birds. I change clothing, shoes, wash hands and so forth after handling the new birds. I also make a point of handling new stock after I've handled the original flock. In other words I feed, water, clean the original flock. Then I change clothes, shoes, wash hands and arms to take care of the new flock.

 

[brettzim]

Thank you for the helpful response.

 

[dawg53]

Treating newly acquired birds for a respiratory diseases doesnt cure them from the diseases. They will be carriers and will pass it on to the original flock eventually. It's a recipe for disaster no matter how long they're quarantined. I recommend that you cull the sick birds.

 

[farhaS]

One of my peahen is sneezing and making strange sounds like she is coughing or clearing her throat! Is she unwell or just stressed as I got her just a week ago to add to my flock ( two male and one female) need help please!!!