The importance of quarantine for your bird

Written by AniMed.org

For the sake of their own survival, birds have become masters at hiding illness. In the wild birds showing signs of sickness are devoured quickly by predators. While domesticated birds don’t have this problem, they have remained incredibly skilled at keeping their symptoms under wraps until an illness has progressed to a dangerous state. This is why regular veterinary exams are so imperative – and also why it is vital that you quarantine any new birds you add to your family’s flock.

Even if your new bird has been tested for the most common avian diseases (such as psittacosis, polyoma virus, and giardia) it is always better to be safe than sorry. A bird carrying avian gastric yeast, for instance, may look and act as normal as the next parrot, but he can nonetheless infect all your other pet birds with this bacteria that can take months to fully eradicate.

How to quarantine your new birds

When setting up your new bird’s cage, you must not only place it a safe distance from the others in your home, but you should also keep it in another room until the end of the quarantine period. Respiratory diseases are transmissible through the air, and they can travel impressive distances. To help prevent the spreading of disease, make sure you also use separate dishes, perches, and toys for the new bird. Nothing should be shared.

A practical length of time for a quarantine period is between six and eight weeks. Although this may seem long, consider your birds’ potential lifespan and how you can help ensure this longevity by taking this one prudent step.

When you finally introduce your new bird to his fellow avian household members, consider doing so on neutral ground. Moving the cages into a new room of your home entirely may help prevent one bird from feeling overly territorial of the space. Begin with the cages as far apart as possible, and gradually move them closer together. By making your birds’ physical and mental well being your top priorities, you will make sure they remain happy and healthy pets.