The Duck Thread

[Amiga]

How many new ones? I am wondering if some utility space could be used for at least a couple of days to be sure you don't have anyone sniffling or with foamy eye, anything like that. And if something is airborne, I am not convinced that even 50 feet's distance would guarantee no transmission...

Not a vet, though..

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have a question:

I am thinking about adding adult hens to my flock. This is the enclosure that I have my present 2 hens in. They are only in it during the night, they free range during the day.



I know that I have to keep the new ones separated from the old ones for a period of time. I have a divider that I put down the middle of the enclosure. It's like this:



This cuts the enclosure in half.

My question is, I know you have to quarantine "new" flock members that you are introducing from the "old" flock members, is this enough of a separation for quarantine? The ducks can see each other but can't touch except if they stick their beaks through the chicken wire. The ducks I am hoping to find will be young, around 4-6 months old.

Thanks for any help. I have never introduced anything except ducklings into this flock. I hope it works, I think they need friends. They probably won't agree with me, knowing my girls! LOL

Mandy

@MandyJ Do you know the person your getting your ducks from? their keeping habits? If you have a X large dog crate that may work for temp housing if you can put up temp fencing for daytime till you have been able to watch for at least a week for health of new birds. Putting them inside same housing with a separation like you posted would not be considered quarantine.For temp fencing I buy the plastic poultry fencing at lows and the fence posts that are made of fiber glass that have pointed end and just stick into the ground works great.

 

[MandyJ]

How many new ones?  I am wondering if some utility space could be used for at least a couple of days to be sure you don't have anyone sniffling or with foamy eye, anything like that.  And if something is airborne, I am not convinced that even 50 feet's distance would guarantee no transmission...



Not a vet, though..

I am hoping to get 2 or 3 adult hens. I could put them in a dog cage on our screen porch for a few days. But it would be really crowded for 3 adult birds.

 

[MandyJ]

@MandyJ
Do you know the person your getting your ducks from? their keeping habits? If you have a X large dog crate that may work for temp housing if you can put up temp fencing for daytime till you have been able to watch for at least a week for health of new birds. Putting them inside same housing with a separation like you posted  would not be considered quarantine.For temp fencing I buy the plastic poultry fencing at lows and the fence posts that are made of fiber glass that have pointed end and just stick into the ground works great.

No I haven't found the birds yet. I have a large dog crate I could use. Should they be separated/quarantined aboua week?
Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

No I haven't found the birds yet. I have a large dog crate I could use. Should they be separated/quarantined aboua week?
Thanks!

I can only say what I have done and it was over 5 yrs ago when I did this, I needed some females for my drake so we went to a farm to look at some female Muscovy's they all were very healthy looking active and clear eyed so I just brought them home and put them with the flock Nothing happened everyone got along and I think free ranging helped because there was alot of room to stay out of every ones way and my drake and these 3 females were same age. Would I recommend others doing this, I leave that to your discretion. But if you decide to keep separated I'd think a week would give you enough time to see if anything was wrong as far as sickness. Water fowl are very hardy if kept in good conditions.

 

[MandyJ]

I can only say what I have done and it was over 5 yrs ago when I did this, I needed some females for my drake so we went to a farm to look at some female Muscovy's they all were very healthy looking active and clear eyed so I just brought them home and put them with the flock Nothing happened everyone got along and I think free ranging helped because there was alot of room to stay out of every ones way and my drake and these 3 females were same age. Would I recommend others doing this, I leave that to your discretion. But if you decide to keep separated I'd think a week would give you enough time to see if anything was wrong as far as sickness. Water fowl are very hardy if kept in good conditions.

Thanks! They will be separated from the original 2 for a week or 2 after their quarantine period. My girls need to get used to them and them to my original 2. After the quarantine period I'll put them in the enclosure with the divider. Hopefully they will do fine.
Do you know of anyone in Texas wanting to rehome/sell any duck hens? I would prefer to buy from someone on BYC but so far haven't heard of any.
Thanks again!
Mandy

 

[MandyJ]

Since I haven't found the birds all this is for my getting things ready. I know with ducklings they need niacin. Since these girls will be stressed from the move, is there any supplements that they need? Any special feed instructions?
Lol When I told my husband about having to quarantine the ducks on the porch the look I got was priceless! He isn't into ducks. He'll do anything for me or the ducks but THEY ARE MINE! He really only tolerates them. Lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Since I haven't found the birds all this is for my getting things ready. I know with ducklings they need niacin. Since these girls will be stressed from the move, is there any supplements that they need? Any special feed instructions?
Lol When I told my husband about having to quarantine the ducks on the porch the look I got was priceless! He isn't into ducks. He'll do anything for me or the ducks but THEY ARE MINE! He really only tolerates them. Lol

That is nice he will go along though mine pretty much the same way.

Have you been on the Texas thread?

 

[MandyJ]

...

That is nice he will go along though mine pretty much the same. (Quote)


Yes, I asked but so far noone got back with me. There are a few on Craig'slist but we are leaving Thursday to go babysit my 2-year old granddaughter for 6 days. I don't want to get the ducks until I return. So I'm just getting ready.
Thanks so much for your help! Can you think of any supplements they will need? Due to the stress?

 

[PINOAK RIDGE]

@MandyJ

When practicing bio security to protect your "old" flock from "new" birds, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recommendation is to quarantine, AKA isolate for 30 days. Diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) & Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) can strike quickly, without any warning or signs of infection. One week, is simply not enough, as HPAI incubation period is 21 days.

We remember how frightening and devastating the END outbreak was back in 2002-2003, out in California and a few other western states. To stop that END outbreak, well over 3 million birds had to be euthanized. This was a huge loss financially, genetically and emotionally. The industry took a hard blow, not to mention all the beloved pet birds that were also lost during this time. A serious disease that not only affected the western part of the country, but poultry hobbyist nationwide. That outbreak caused a lot of concern & there were many unanswered questions. Many professionals, from all over the country, went out West for months to handle this tragedy and get it under control. Thankfully, they were able to eradicate that END outbreak.

We have always been firm believers in bio security and protecting our birds and breeding program. Devastating losses, even from "innocent" situations, was the main reason, many years ago, we went from an educational farm, with school field trips visiting, to a closed farm practicing bio security. Our birds are not just a long term, focused breeding project, where we strive to improve the breed with each generation, they are also our beloved pets. We feel it's our responsibility to provide the best care for them and also to the hobby. Protecting them from diseases, is just as important, if not more so, than protecting them from predators. If this means disappointing people, by not allowing them to visit our farm, we apologize but the safety of our birds is our priority. We have been happy to provide the public with pictures so they may enjoy the beauty of our birds.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your ducks.