WHY
To check for diseases in new birds
To protect your existing birds from being infected with new diseases
To allow time for disease to incubate (e.g. birds may be carriers of disease without showing signs or obvious symptoms)
WHERE
New birds should be quarantined separately, away from existing birds, flights or aviaries (e.g. the garage or laundry or separate cages well away from others).
HOW LONG
Four weeks
START OF QUARANTINE
Droppings of quarantined birds should be veterinary tested to check whether the birds have any parasites or infections. If the faecal tests are positive, the birds can be treated during the four-week quarantine period
DURING QUARANTINE
- Follow strict hygiene procedures (always clean, feed, water quarantined birds last)
- Clean cages daily
- Check faeces (form, colour, urates etc.)
- Handle birds to check condition
- Weigh them at least once a week
- Check vents, any pasted vents can indicate infection – clean vent (faecal build up can cause external constipation).
END OF QUARANTINE
Droppings of quarantined birds should again be veterinary checked (to check if any existing conditions have been cleared up and to check that no new problems have incubated during quarantine period)
RESULTS OF QUARANTINE
Conscientious adherence to quarantine protocol will decrease the likelihood of health problems developing in your birds.
