New bird protocols

[Jowsi002]

I didn’t see a thread like this when I tried searching, hope I’m not making a duplicate post. I was wondering what everyone’s new bird “protocols” are, would like to get ideas on how to do mine better, but also would like a thread for others to learn from too. I feel like there’s been more conversations this year revolving around “I brought a new bird home, now I think it’s sick” (myself included). So if anyone would be willing to share;
What are things you need to see or questions you ask when you are picking up a new bird? Do you seek out birds from NPIP certified breeders only? What do you look for from that? (As I’m finding out each state is different in their base requirements for this program, so which tests do you NEED to see done?)
Do you quarantine when you get the new bird(s) home? If so, how long/how far away from your existing birds?
What does your quarantine set-up look like and how do you disinfect when you are done with the quarantine? If you get hens, do you keep or toss their eggs if they happen to lay during this period?
Any medications or supplements you recommend giving right away?
Do you get your vet involved, like “new pet” visits, fecal or blood tests? If you do, at what time do you do this, is it before you bring home, before introducing to your flock? (I understand that this can be pricey, so absolutely no judgement if not)
What does your daily care routine look like during this time? Example: do you take care of your new and existing birds in a certain order? Any changes to your routine cleaning(floors, feed/water containers?) And so on.
Anything else you think is important to add?

 

[Jowsi002]

I’ll start.
My routine starts more when I get the birds home. Some things I look for when picking up birds are obvious signs of anemia, bugs or respiratory infections. Need to see things like red combs/wattles, proper skin color, good feathering(not ratty looking or like its molting), and I try to see “normal-ish” looking poop (I get it’s a stressful time for a bird, but immediately foamy or wiggly poop is a dealbreaker for me). Once we get home I immediately look them over again, try to look at poop again. Try to see any parasites or anything odd I may have missed. If they pass, they go to one of my quarantine setups, age dependant. Anything under 8-10 weeks will go in a brooder setup in our basement with a heat lamp, set at 80 degrees, generally quarantined for 2 weeks unless I think longer is necessary. I use paper towels for the bottom which gets changed twice daily. Water gets changed daily and containers are soaked in bleach water for 20 minutes then scrubbed with soap, rinsed well, then dried, refilled. All new birds get electrolytes and probiotics in their water during quarantine. I continue to listen/look for signs of respiratory issues or subdued behavior.
adults are set up in small coops outside, a minimum of 6 feet away from my current flock, and my quarantine coops are 3ft up from the ground, on stone. I give Ivermectin immediately(thinking of adding in another wormer) and watch for signs of internal parasites. Spray 15% bleach solution every other day on the stone under the coop and about 2ft radius around, wash water/food containers daily. Check poop, behavior, and keep looking for obvious signs of illness (sneezing/nasal discharge, lethargy, anemia)
I don’t usually get any vet work done, but may reconsider in the future.
I usually try to take care of my existing flock before the new guys but at minimum I wash my hands/arms in between. I’m considering getting plastic shoe covers before getting any more birds to use in the future as well.
Edited to add: once I’m done with wuarantining a bird, the cages get completely sprayed down with 15% bleach solution and sundried 2 times, 2 weeks apart. I won’t use the cages for 6 weeks after the last cleaning.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have to assume you're talking about adding adult or started birds, but my approach is to skip a lot of the concerns by getting chicks from large hatcheries, so biosecurity risk is as low as possible. Therefore no quarantine.

I did add started pullets once, from the feed store I had originally gotten the chicks from, but I deliberately chose birds from the same hatch group, so there was no age difference for an easier integration. As I had just started out (with 4 birds total) I was willing to skip quarantine and deal with losses if they occurred. Now that my flock is more established I wouldn't risk adding started pullets again.

 

[aart]

Yep, day old chicks only, most were hatched from my flock.

Otherwise:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article