Yup-Another Quarantine Query!

[sbhkma]

I have 2 Welsummers that are 8 months old. I just brought home 4 more 10 week old Wellsummer pullets. Both the existing Wellies and the new ones have been vaccinated for Marek's and Fowlpox. I have my older girls in a coop/run and not being allowed out at all (because as we all know, first thing they'll do is run up to the New Girls and check em out). I have the new pullets in a separate run/coop that is 175 feet away. All food/water bowls as well as both coops and runs have been treated with Oxine. I have separate shoes for each coop as well as changing clothes between caring for each group. My plan is to put the two coops next to each other after QT so they can all get to see each other for a week or two before I merge the two flocks. Barring any health problems that may come up, how long would be recommended to keep them separated in QT before moving them close together? Am I missing anything that should be done during the QT process? The new girls are on dirt, so they'll be getting exposed to any cocci or other things on the ground and hopefully build resistance.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A normal quarantine is about 4 weeks.

I suggest you check them for mites and lice, it would be a good time to treat if you need to. You might consider taking a fecal sample to a vet to check for worms. At least see what the cost would be so you can make a decision.

What you are doing sounds great, good luck.

 

[sbhkma]

I checked them last night and they looked good. I'll re-check in a few days to make sure. I have permethrin spray and ivermectin both. Thanks for the info. I was thinking 2-3 weeks, but 4 is do-able.

 

[chickens really]

Just a bit of info ....If separate and Bio-Security is not met...Just changing your shoes will not stop transfer....
Disease can be spread by an animal walking across your yard..Anyways..Exposure has been done and now the wait and introducing the Birds...
Best wishes...

 

[sbhkma]

Just a bit of info ....If separate and Bio-Security is not met...Just changing your shoes will not stop transfer....
Disease can be spread by an animal walking across your yard..Anyways..Exposure has been done and now the wait and introducing the Birds...
Best wishes...

So what else am I supposed to do? Put them in my house for a month? I realize complete QT is not possible as there are wild birds, my dogs, deer, etc. Is there anything else I can do? How does one realistically TOTALLY quarantine a flock on the same property as existing birds? I change shoes and clothes, wash my hands, don't share water or food bowls. I don't have a bio-secure facility. So now what? Just toss em together and hope for the best?

 

[chickens really]

Yes....Bassically they have met, just never seen each other...Look no touch pen...I never bring in outside Birds..Too much risk...Anyways..Have them meet for a week through fencing and then free range an afternoon and see how it goes...

 

[sbhkma]

I have to bring in outside birds. I don't have, nor do I want, a rooster. I'm still going to keep them apart for a Qt period anyway. Although I am feeling defeated now.

 

[chickens really]

I have to bring in outside birds. I don't have, nor do I want, a rooster. I'm still going to keep them apart for a Qt period anyway. Although I am feeling defeated now.

What ever....Your not the first or the last to introduce Birds...Just carry on and Hope for the best...All Chickens carry disease..

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@sbhkma I agree with @Ridgerunner what you are doing is good. 175ft away, changing shoes, clothes, washing hands, etc.

There are no guarantees even with quarantine and bio-security. This 4 wk. period is a time that you use to see if there are signs/symptoms of illness, parasites, to let birds get settled a bit and to administer any treatment if necessary (de-worm, de-louse, etc).

Birds can be carriers and never show symptoms of illness - your new girls may have resistance and your existing flock could become sick or vice versa. That's the way carriers work. Once you start the integration process in 4wks. try to introduce them slowly and keep stress levels as low as possible. Any indication of illness, pull the bird and treat symptoms only.

You are doing more than many people do, so keep it up. You can't prevent the spread of everything unless you are a commercial operation, but with care if you find that the new birds may have something you are minimizing the risk of spreading it.

I hope all goes well.

 

[Eggcessive]

Did you read the first post? The OP said that the new birds are kept apart in a separate coop and run 175 Ft away from the flock, and will be in quarantine for 4 weeks. That, and the steps SBHKMA is taking sound good to me. Good luck.