Where to Quarantine new Birds??

[shellybean40]

I have a question for all of you Chicken experts. We are newbies and have a few chicks, between 2-8 weeks olds. We have furiously been trying to finish the coop and run, just a day or so, and we will be finished! The chicks are out there, but the run needs cover, and we ran out of day today.

We have an opportunity to get some beautiful laying hens from someone who is cutting back on her chickens. She has a family member who is dying, new business, etc. The question I have is-Where would I quarantine these birds?? We do not have any other outbuildings, but I do have a large dog crate. I was thinking they could sleep in the crate at night, and maybe we could fashion a pen of some sort with a top for the daytime?? Would this be okay for 3-4 hens??

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[Elite Silkies]

The large dog crates for work for awhile. As long as they are able to get some outside time during the day. You'll have to clean it frequently. But, it'll work. You need to quarantine them for at least 3 weeks.

 

[speckledhen]

I didn't even allow the only bird I've bought to touch the ground during quarantine. Didn't want him to put anything into the soil that my birds could pick up. He lived in dog crates for 5 weeks. I suggest at least 4 weeks and even then, that isn't perfect. A carrier could still have something even with an extra long quarantine, and later pass it to your birds, but most things will show up within six weeks.