Quarantine

[Chicken face]

I think I made a big mistake, and introduced an americana to our barred rock flock without quarantine. Straight from one chicken house to ours. She stayed in there maybe 10 minutes, the others pecked her a little. My wife came back to the house to do the research we should have done before hand, and we immediately removed her, and will be taking her back tonight. What is the likelihood of contamination, and is there anything I should do for my barred rocks? I am terrified I may have harmed my chickens. Anyone out there with words of comfort/ information?

 

[dawg53]

I think I made a big mistake, and introduced an americana to our barred rock flock without quarantine. Straight from one chicken house to ours. She stayed in there maybe 10 minutes, the others pecked her a little. My wife came back to the house to do the research we should have done before hand, and we immediately removed her, and will be taking her back tonight. What is the likelihood of contamination, and is there anything I should do for my barred rocks? I am terrified I may have harmed my chickens. Anyone out there with words of comfort/ information?

Did you notice if the new bird you introduced to your BR flock had any respiratory symptoms such as; wheezing, sneezing, rattling, gurgling, bubbles in eyes, facial swelling, raspinig, runny nostrils, labored breathing, excessive scratching and/or anything else out of the ordinary? If everything appeared to be normal, you possibly may have dodged a bullet. Time will tell, be patient and watch your BR's for any of the symptoms I mentioned. Keep in mind that disease incubation periods vary. Good luck.

 

[Lupa Duende]

Even if you are fortunate and she does not have any disease, for socialisation you may want to introduce her slowly, which is what controlled quarantine can offer.
Can you keep her in a cat carrier within or near the others?

 

[Chicken face]

No symptoms at all. Appeared to be a normal, healthy bird. I have returned her to her original home.

 

[Chicken face]

Other birds that were at the original home were not healthy.

 

[Chicken face]

Is there any precautions I need to take for the barred rocks?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Is there any precautions I need to take for the barred rocks?

There's really not a lot you can do now. Going in and disinfecting the place at this point is pretty much like shutting the barn door after the horse ran off. If the hen was carrying anything they have already been exposed.

 

[Chicken face]

Thanks, that's kinda what I figured. Wait and see.

 

[Pinky Macgyver]

How long should new birds be quarantined?

 

[Chicken face]

From my research on this site, about 4-6 weeks.