New hen, but same source--quarantine?

[Lady of McCamley]

I don't know why, but today you make it sound easier to accomplish, and now I think I can!

Yes, once you set it up, it is doable....especially if you have a separate entrance door too.

My main coop is out the back door behind the house and at the end of the yard. (I'm on about 1/3 acre).

My quarantine coop is off the garage in the front side yard with a tall wooden fence separating.

I probably don't have the 300 feet...but I've got almost the full property line and a tall fence.

I hang the quarantine coat and leave the quarantine boots in the mud room by that side door, with appropriate feed and care utensils.

I always tend to my main birds first, with boots and coat left at the back door.

Then come into the house, wash hands, then go to the garage and put on my quarantine boots and coat to tend to any sick or quarantined birds.

I also have a permanent quarantine structure (although still a metal dog cage with plastic tray under a tarped small run over cement pavers).

I can hose the whole thing down when it is over with disinfectant, and it gets good sunshine during the day which also helps.

So over the years I've finally made it work so I can quarantine reasonably well.

A final word to quarantine....never double use your brooding area for quarantine area unless you can really disinfect (and who can?)

I see far too many poultry keepers double purpose their brooding hutch for quarantine of sick or new animals.

The reason this is a poor idea should be obvious.

LofMc

 

[EggSighted4Life]

@Lady of McCamley

I think I can do that although surveying my property can probably only achieve 60 feet of true separation. I like the fence/building idea. I wonder in the PNW where our breeze is often high how much of a difference I can make. Also my neighbors who have fences lining my property and chickens, I have no control over what they bring in. Though I do believe they USUALLY get LFS chicks so they don't have to contend with cockerels. That being said, one of the LFS does buy back roos which means they aren't coming from NPIP places. And I've seen them sell (I bought them) chicks from a local breeder who I also don't know NPIP status. But do you still quarantine from NPIP places?

I am planning a permanent quarantine structure as well.

Thanks for the quarantine details and breaking it down. Not sure I would have though to tend the good birds first since I always wanna take care of the sick. That is excellent advice!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

That will still help.

The truth be told, true quarantine would follow almost Hazmat control which simply isn't practical for most small holders.

You won't control viral that flows in the air, but you can definitely hold down coccidiosis, parasites, and a lot of bacterial overgrowths.

Don't underestimate the pain of having to treat the whole flock for mites or worms or cocci, times weeks or months. And those can be controlled to a degree with isolation and treatment if you follow care to avoid cross contamination....tracking the infestation to the flock.

Never accept a sick or rescue bird unless that is all you want to do...treat sickly rescue birds.

The safest is to start with chicks, keep a closed flock, bring in chicks or raise from your flock.

I brought in coccidiosis from a coveted breed that took me months to clear.

For those reasons, IB and coccidiosis risk, I buy chicks or grow my own.