Quarantine

[Sorechia]

I was under the impression that a quarantine was keeping birds separate for 30 days, like in separate rooms, nothing interacts etc. My local rescue said that you have to keep them separated for 30 days and in different air. In other words a room that isn't hooked up to the rest of the house's filtration. How is this possible. I don't know anyone that has a different air system in one part of their house then another.

[swanwillow]

Mmm, I have forced air, and keep new birds 'down wind' of the residents.

[Sorechia]

The rescue told me that if the new bird or whatever has something that is airborne then you are already infecting your other birds if they are in the same house that is on the same air filtration. With this logic you could never quarantine anything unless you had a separate building, garage or someone who has no birds does it for you. I always thought it just meant keep the birds in separate rooms and don't mix food bowls etc.

[Alan]

Usually this is what it means, but most people don't have any way of doing it 100% effective. Now me on the other hand, I have a 3 story town home 2 living stories and then a fully finished basement which makes it another floor of living space. My birds are in the basement. My basement is on it's on air unit with completely seperate duct work. So I can put the new birds on the main2 levels and then they are on different air then my other birds.

But yes Monica you are right most people aren't able to do q time 100% effective with the way most houses are built.

[Lisa B]

Technically yes, the rescue is right on. Proper quarantine should last 60-90 days, 90 being recommended. Different air filtration systems and bio security measures taken. However, most dont have this or access to it.
Any quarantine I do, Is in another persons home with no birds. Even after cleared by the Vets I still wait the time because of false negatives and there is no test for PDD at this time that I know of. I believe they are on the road to finding one tho.

[Sorechia]

hmmm.... so what do y'all suggest for people with birds that get birds... since a real quarantine can't be done. Just keeping everything separate etc? I am not getting a bird... I was just wondering every time I read about it what people do that can't have separate air systems.

[Lisa B]

After a Vet visit..The Q bird on a seperate floor, or opposite side of the house. An air purifier. maintain the q bird last. change cloths, wash up and dont go near your other bird or touch household things till you do.

[BirdMommaAK]

I have aquired 2 new birds within the past 3 months. I did my best to quarantine, but obviously its not 100% reliable. I just kept them in seperate rooms and washed hands between handling them. I also took them to the vet for an exam and blood work within days of bringing them home.

I think that quarantining is definately a good idea, however isn't something you should stress over. Since most people can't do it effectively, regardless your taking a risk bringing another bird into your home that could have disease. I think you should take into consideration where the new bird has come from and its risk of having a disease and act accordingly. If its history is unknown, then a full quarantine would be necessary. If you know its history, past living arrangements, etc. then a modified quarantine would be sufficient I think.

[Sorechia]

Thanks for the info.