Quarentine

[RC#1]

What types of Quarentine procedures does everyone use for new birds? I just aquired a new young pair of RTPF from a breeder in Miami, FL.

[Sally]

I think everyone has a slightly different procedure for quarantine. Mine will vary according to the source (and I know I really shouldn't let that be a factor, but I do). If I am getting a bird from a close friend, and I know their aviary and procedures, I am not nearly as concerned as when I am getting a bird from a source that I have not purchased from before. Yet a friend could have illness brewing in their aviary and not know it yet.

My quarantine will run two weeks to a month or more--ideally I should be quarantining for three months or more. I will give them SCATT or S76 in case of air sac mites, and if there is a chance that they were outside, I will also worm them. Other than that, I take a wait and see attitude, as I don't like to administer too many meds without reason. If they have been shipped, I will put NV powder (an electrolyte mix) in their water for at least several days, if not longer.

I watch them to make sure they are eating and drinking. I use water tubes, and new birds may not be used to them, so I also provide a small dish of water. I want to see them be active, lively, wanting to bathe, chirping or singing. If they are too quiet, puffy, lethargic--those would be alarm bells that the bird is in trouble. At that time, I will isolate that bird and apply a heat lamp and check the bird for loss of weight, wet vent, and watch the droppings.

[RC#1]

I am glad to here that I'm doing essentially the same thing. I never want to deal with red bird mites again so I give them a spray of AIL.

[birdclaws]

My quarantine typically lasts 6 weeks.
If they're gouldians, I will scatt on the first day.
I start a 6 week baycox treatment on all incoming birds to eliminate the risk of cocci.
I will usually do a 2 day deworming and ronex for 7 days.

During quarantine I keep an eye on their droppings, if they seem normal and the bird has been acting normal, then they pass.
If the droppings are not normal, I will extend quarantine until they are.

[Zebrafincher]

Any new birds I get (as they are cage birds and I only have 3 now) spend at least 2 weeks apart from the others, and they also get a visit to the Vet and clean bill of health to detect any issues. Spraying, worming, etc should be mandatory for anyone getting new birds.

[pinson]

During quarantine I keep an eye on their droppings

What do normal dropping look like vs abnormal?

[birdclaws]

Take a look at this site:


http://www.mfgouldianfinches.com/Poopol ... gyPg1.html

[RvB]

Have three zebra finches in two separate cages. Am thinking of a fourth one as a companion to the one who has been by herself since her mate died. My question is: can I quarantine the new bird in the same room, some 10 feet away, or is there a possibility of airborn infection?

[pinson]

thank you for the link