Important - Do I need to Quarantine?

[anbrownucsd]

I am bringing home my new Rose-Breasted Cockatoo on June 10th!!! He will be vet checked before I bring him home. If the vet check shows that he is healthy then do I still need to quarantine him? He is still a baby.

If I do, then how should I do this? Is it good enough to keep the new baby in a cage in a seperate room of the house and not introduce them to eachother until after the quarantine. How long do I keep them seperate?

[kellywess]

Yes, you should always quarentine "any" new bird that you plan on introducing to an already established aviary... even if your aviary consists of only one bird. "Closed Aviary Concept" for atleast six weeks. No tests your vet can perform is full proof. Remember birds hide being sick, quarentine will give any possible signs of illness a chance to show itself and its also a good way for your new bird to settle in. Also, dont swap dishes, toys perches and always be sure to wash hands before going from one bird to the next. It is very hard I know I am four weeks into quarentine myself... but in the long run I know it can prevent alot of pain and heartache should something not be right with my new baby.

[anbrownucsd]

Four weeks?!? How long should I do this for. I had no idea that quarantine lasted so long!

[kellywess]

Six weeks is what they tell you to do. That is what I do... I take the new bird to the vet after having him one week (so he can de-stress a bit) and then again between the 5th and 6th week before he gets to come on out with the others he goes back to the vet again.

[anbrownucsd]

Sounds like a plan, it will be hard though!

[kellywess]

Yeah, but in the long run... its worth it. Just imagine if something was wrong with the new baby and Hermes got sick because of something the new one was carrying. Well dont imagine it... too hard I agree. Those 6 weeks will go by fast. Good luck and keep us posted. We want to see pics of the new baby once you get him home and settled in.

[KimM]

I'm going through the same thing right now. Don't feel bad. It will be over sooner than you think.

[Lori~D]

I do six weeks if I dont have any background but if the bird came from a place where there were no other birds and have a vet check come clean I only do a month. Being in a home with NO other birds for at least six months.

[Ashling]

How exciting! Only a few weeks to go- you must be stoked! Aw I want a new baby too! *slaps self*
Yeah, some illnesses won't show up on the vet check at times, and some take a while to show any signs, so it's better to be safe than sorry!
OH and I nearly fogot- make sure you know what the SIGNS of a sick/ deteriorating bird look like! Dull eyes, blocked/ runny nose, puffed out feathers, lethargic, isn't eating, lost weight, unusual poop etc. Researching the signs of a sick bird- and the common diseases they can get- will help you to notice if he looks sick with something! :)

[kali]

what mel said.