Quarantine..........

[gavinandallison]

I am looking to add some more birds to my small flock of B.R's. How long must I keep the newbies in quarantine for? A friend has an Americana hen he purchased this weekas a pair, one is not a full pedigree, he has got it in a quarantine cage but he offered it to me for free, how long til I can let it run with the others?

 

[Noncentzter]

Most agree that you should quarantine new birds for 30 days away from your flock.

 

[silky ma]

30 days is a good time period. I would during this time de-worm and use an natural antiviral in their water to ward off and unwanted viruses. I have been asked what I use to deworm and what I use as an anti viral. I use roasted garlic with brown rice , each morning for 3 days and I use Elderberry Concentrate/syrup in their water, put in enough so the water looks med purple pink in color, changed daily for 5 days.
I get the Elderberry thru my local natural food/ supplament store. You can also get it online. I and hubby use it since my body cannot keep a healthy white count and since we started using it over 5 years ago we dont get viruses or colds anymore.

 

[TajMahalChickens]

also quite important in bringing in a new bird is knowing its history, which often includes buying it from a trustworthy owner. If you are able to see the coop it was in, better yet. Just make sure that there are no visible signs of disease. Even something like scaly legs mites or lice mean that sanitation wasn't up to snuff. Better safe then sorry.

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I would never add just one bird! I would try to add at least 2 at a time. See if he has another bird that you can purchase and let them be buddies.. It is really hard being a newbie in a old flock--even a small flock... I quarantined for 30 days-I dusted for mites and wormed them. I watched for any signs of illness.. After 30 days, I moved them into a cage inside the coop at night and during the day they had a fence area that was divided out of the big run.. So, they could see each other but could not be injury.. After a week, they got to free range together after a week of this they were going to roost w/ the older girls..