When To Quarantine???

This is a question that comes up often. Quarantining a new bird prevents disease from spreading to your established flock, or other birds in your household. {Quarantine-to keep away from other birds, usually handling their food and cleaning their cage last so you will not spread anything to your other birds.}The amount of time for quarantine is generally 60 days. During this time you will have had time to get it examined by an avian vet, and {or} there has been time for diseases to present themselves...

If you are buying or acquiring a new bird from a person who has owned that bird for some time, a year or more, or from a breeder that you know well, {both them and their birds} you are not likely to be exposing your birds to any contagious diseases and quarantine is not needed. For example; Your sister Sue is moving and can not take her beloved Cockatoo. She has had her for several years and the bird has been in good health and has had regular vet checks. It is safe to bring that bird into your home and keep it in the same room with your African Grey.

The time to quarantine is when you are buying a bird from a pet store, or breeder that you are not familiar with. You will want to quarantine a bird that is new to a pet store or breeder-having from somewhere else. Always quarantine any bird that has been exposed to other birds in a frequent "coming and going" situation. Always quarantine a bird that has been shipped to you sight unseen or otherwise.