It’s worth having a quarantine area for new stock whether for parrotfinches or other birds
Even established breeders can need to quarantine ill or stressed, existing
stock. In some cases the birds can be very difficult to either source or costly to replace
A quiet area away from the noise of the main collection reduces stress in both existing and new stock and
allows the new to adjust to a move
The seller can be blamed when a new bird dies, but the fault can lie with the new keeper’s husbandry
and system of introduction
Naturally, when buying, obtain fit stock and be wary of breeders that appear
to be over breeding from their birds
A quarantine area need not be fancy. Any small space separated from the main bird room can
be used
It might only be a double breeder, or two, in a utility room. I use a small room on the side of my
house. It doubles as a storage area as well
Give thought to cleanliness and hygiene. Plastic cages are easy to clean. I have a spiller
which runs across the cage fronts catching much of the husk and droppings
Inexpensive tiles make it easy to clean anything that does drop to the floor
My new birds are caged in a vacant cage with woodchip (8mm) on cage floor
There is a bath and diet is basic, ie suitable seed mix, grit and filtered
water. I don't, but many do, add multi vitamins to the water, or a probiotic, as part
of their standard regime
Temperature usually about 150C (600F), but can be higher initially
to match previous quarters
Don't assume a bird hunched up or with head under wing, is ill and start pumping in drugs
It’s likely to be a little bit stressed rather than ill
Adding sugar, glucose or even a probiotic at this point is all that is probably required
Showing - if you show birds, it is important to quarantine them on
their return
They've been alongside other birds that may carry disease to which your own stock don't have
a natural immunity
A month in quarantine is enough before moving your birds into the main collection
As with all aspects of livestock husbandry, observation is key after a period of quarantine to
address any other potential problems
It’s worth having a quarantine area for new stock whether for parrotfinches or other birds
Even established breeders can need to quarantine ill or stressed, existing
stock
In some cases birds can be very difficult to source or costly to replace
A quiet area reduces stress in both existing and new stock
A quarantine area need not be fancy
Any small space separated from main bird room can
be used
A double breeder, or two, in a utility room. I use a small room on the side of my
house which doubles as a storage area
My new birds are caged in a vacant cage with woodchip (8mm) on floor
There is a bath and diet is basic, ie suitable seed mix, grit and filtered
water
I don't, but many do, add multi vitamins to the water, or a probiotic, as part
of their standard regime
Temperature usually about 150C (600F), but can be higher initially
to match previous quarters
Don't assume a bird hunched up or with head under wing, is ill and start pumping in
drugs. It’s likely to be a little bit stressed rather than ill
Adding sugar, glucose or a probiotic is all that is probably required
Showing - if you show birds, it is important to quarantine them on
their return
They've been alongside other birds that may carry disease to which your own stock don't have
a natural immunity
A month in quarantine is enough before moving your birds into the main collection
Observation is key after a period of quarantine to address any other potential problems
