Risk of Disease?

[Clappmeg]

Hi all,
I'll be driving around today picking up 5 silkies from 3 different places to add to my flock (they are SO hard to find in my area!) I know you're supposed to quarantine for 30 days to ensure the birds are not sick/diseased.. how many people actually do this? I'll certainly keep them separate from my current flock of 6 (including 2 roos), but I'd like to at least keep them in cages IN the coop (which is apparently a no-no according to the 30 day rule). What do you think? What would/do you do??
Thanks in advance!

 

[Trish1974]

Better safe than sorry. I have quarantined for 3 weeks in the past. Luckily I have all the birds I will ever need (unless some kind of tragedy strikes) so won't have to worry about bringing in outside birds again. If I were you I would put them far away from your current birds for at least 3 weeks, especially if you are getting from multiple sources. That only increases your odds of disease and bugs.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

The only birds I have directly added to my flock was one from my oldest daughter. I plan on getting a couple silkies too, but will probably isolate indoors for no less than a week or two. Best of luck!

 

[boskelli1571]

I would definitely quarantine given that you are collecting birds from 3 separate places.
If you put those birds in with your flock you risk the health of all of them. Things like MG and Mareks don't necessarily show up immediately.
Use the 30 days wisely, check on your new birds daily, watch for problems, be patient

 

[aart]

What would/do you do??

I just don't bring birds in.

If I were you I would put them far away from your current birds for at least 3 weeks, especially if you are getting from multiple sources. That only increases your odds of disease and bugs.

This^^^ sounds like a good plan.

You still need to be very careful about cross contamination,
from equipment and your clothing.

Here's some good info:
Biological/medical quarantine:
BYC Medical Quarantine Article

 

[Amer]

I always try to quarantine. Technically it’s in raised cages in the coop, but because of the weather we have here I don’t have much choice this time of year. I’d much recommend not doing it my way, but it just makes me feel safer. Disaster struck when I wasn’t able to do that.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Hi all,
I'll be driving around today picking up 5 silkies from 3 different places to add to my flock (they are SO hard to find in my area!) I know you're supposed to quarantine for 30 days to ensure the birds are not sick/diseased.. how many people actually do this? I'll certainly keep them separate from my current flock of 6 (including 2 roos), but I'd like to at least keep them in cages IN the coop (which is apparently a no-no according to the 30 day rule). What do you think? What would/do you do??
Thanks in advance!

I wouldn’t put them in the same coop even though they are separate in cages. The risk is too high and I am sure you would be super upset at yourself if your whole flock were to get ill.

 

[ValerieJ]

If I were to bring a pullet or hen into my flock I would definitely quarantine for 30 days far from my flock. But, that's a big if. I only bring in chicks, the oldest being 1 week old. And since they were chicks, they were quarantined for 30 days in a brooder in my heated garage. The risk of infecting my current flock is not worth rushing it to me.

 

[Kiki]

Hi all,
I'll be driving around today picking up 5 silkies from 3 different places to add to my flock (they are SO hard to find in my area!) I know you're supposed to quarantine for 30 days to ensure the birds are not sick/diseased.. how many people actually do this? I'll certainly keep them separate from my current flock of 6 (including 2 roos), but I'd like to at least keep them in cages IN the coop (which is apparently a no-no according to the 30 day rule). What do you think? What would/do you do??
Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't do this. Period.

Can you only pick up birds from one person today and cage them far away from your current birds for a few weeks?

 

[Kiki]

Are you prepared to lose your current flock?
Are you prepared to nurse/medicated birds for life?