FINCHforum

Im ordering some birds in by mail instead of my local breeder. What are recommended steps to quarantining the birds? How far should they be away from your established healthy flock? What treatments should be given? And for how long?

Any advice very appreciated. Thanks!

Ideally they would be quarantined in a different building (with a different air system) but typically that's not possible. So if you can, house them on a different floor (upstairs or downstairs) from your other birds and if you are in a single floor home or apartment, then put them in a different room at the other end of the house or apartment. And if that is not possible - put them in a cage as far away from the current birds as you can. You get the idea.

Quarantine typically lasts one month (longer if you notice any signs of illness). I use Scatt (2 doses 21 days apart) on all my incoming birds along with a dewormer for the first 2 days in their drinking water). Around the third day I will give them a does of vitamins in their drinking water I feel it would benefit them.

That's it for me.

Thanks Liz..sounds easy enough!

This is the general process that I follow.
http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... antine.mgi

IMHO, the more birds (especially expensive ones) you have the more important a good quarantine is, to prevent "baddies" from coming into your flock. I do some preventive treatments during quarantine for that reason.

Using the link supplied...

What would be best Scatt or S76 or both? Since my newest birds will be coming tues/wed by mail does anyone suggest Quik-Gel to help them recover from shipping stress?

Should I also get Avian Insect Liquidator? Is there anything else I need?

I dont have much confidence that Petco or my local small petshop will have these in stock so I will need to order these tonight/tomorrow.

Any last suggestions before I just "buy it all"? Thank you so much for the help!

I use NV powder to help them recover from transport when I bring them into the house. I "think" pedialite is similar, and is easily found in the drug stores.

I have had to get my medication at the local bird marts or via internet (http://www.gouldiansgalore.net, http://www.ladygouldian.com, and http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com). PetCo and PetSmart have the basic (like mite/lice spray) but none of the specialty medications. I originally thought I would only need a few of the stuff, but over time I ended up buying a LOT more than I first thought. So you might think about that, a bulk order would save shipping, rather than several individual orders.

For ASM, I use S76, because I don't have to catch the bird to give it to them, I add it to their water. It is given for 2days every week for 3 weeks. But that schedule can mess up a tight quarantine medication schedule. I do not want to give them more than 1 med in one day, and I want a couple days between meds. For that reason, I am thinking of switching over to SCATT, as you only give it to them 2x, I think 3 weeks apart. BUT you have to catch the bird and apply SCATT directly to the skin of the bird. I had originally wanted to avoid stressing the bird, any more than it already is, by catching it during quarantine, hence my original decision to use S76.

BTW, there is no ONE WAY to do quarantine. There are many different ways, each with its own pros/cons so listen to many people then make up your own mind which way you want to go.

When bringing new birds in- pick the brains of the person that you got your bird from -- daylight, feed, temp ,etc,,,
I put them on 4 and1 meds- 7 day treatment. Place 1 drop of ivermectin just above shoulder blades after the 4 and 1 treatment, give probies,then vites then just keep an eye on them for the next 30 day's or so, be in no hurry to introduce them in to your bird room. You can purchase these meds on line through any pigeon supply house, alot cheaper than most places. Just my 2 cents
Lou

Made my purchases from ladygouldianfinch.com tonight.

Thanks everyone for the help!