How long to separate?

[MochaDuck]

So we're getting 4 more chickens from my neighbor! He described them as something like "Old enough to have just gotten their feathers". My question is: how long and far away should I separate them from the chickens and chicks I already have, to lower the chances of anyone getting sick?
Thanks all

 

[Ebony Rose]

One month with enough room that they can see the other flock, but in no way can they touch. Just a wire fence between them really isn't sufficient, as they *can* touch through it. By keeping them in view of the others, you greatly reduce the likelihood of vicious pecking order squabbles when the time comes to integrate the two groups.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

A quarantine period, generally 30 days will only show you if the new birds are actively sick. It will not show you if they are carrying anything that you flock isn't familiar with and vice versa.

The second half of the quarantine process used to be to add sacrificial birds from your existing flock to the new ones to see if any get sick before introducing the new birds to the rest of the flock. Now a days most folks skip this part.

Even with quarantine you can introduce some nasty stuff to a flock, so be careful bringing in birds from multiple sources.

 

[MochaDuck]

Thanks everyone
Is it possible to have them tested at the vet for diseases? How expensive, accurate, and stressful (for the birds) is it?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't know which diseases they can test for currently.

 

[aart]

How close is the neighbor?
Do you visit their flock/yard...and visa-versa?
If yes, then chances are they've already shared 'germs' and quarantine might not be necessary.
Are these chicks that they hatched?
Age ...as in just gotten their first feathers?
Have you not seen them?

here some info on quarantine....
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

 

[MochaDuck]

How close is the neighbor?
Do you visit their flock/yard...and visa-versa?
If yes, then chances are they've already shared 'germs' and quarantine might not be necessary.
Are these chicks that they hatched?
Age ...as in just gotten their first feathers?
Have you not seen them?

here some info on quarantine....
Consider biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article
BYC 'quarantine' search

My neighbor said someone he knew was getting 19, they were keeping 5, and now we're getting 4. I haven't seen the chicks yet, but I trust him enough to know he wouldn't purposely give us sickly chicks. But that's why we plan to quarantine; in case their sick but don't show signs yet.

I don't know their exact age.