Questions about Quarantine

[LuvtheBudgies]

I am sure you all will be glad to hear that I will have 4 budgies by this time tomorrow ;D I just had some questions, like, How far should I keep the new birds away from the old? I am receiving them from our friend's neighbor so I want to make sure if they have a disease that they won't spread it to mine.. Also I have a wonder about how long. Washing hands and changing clothes necessary? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Pictures coming soon!

[ruthpaton]

4 new budgies? That is exciting!! :-) I'm sure you will have lots of fun with them and we look forward to seeing the photos! I don't know much about quarantine but I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be along soon to help you. I don't think you need to change clothes unless you have a definite concern about someone's budgies having something infectious. I always wash my hands after handling budgies and their toys feeders etc, much like any pet. That may be just a personal thing though! :-)

Ruth

[LuvtheBudgies]

Thanks! I am excited myself I can't wait until we go pick them up and I'll finally know what they look like and their temperaments and also how old and what kind of cage they have! My baby brothers are also excited because it infectious

[budgiefriend]

New budgies are always exciting. I'm excited to see photos and hear stories about your flock. The old and new birds should be quarantined in separate rooms for 30-45 days. Washing hands is always a good idea. Best of luck with your new friends, and don't forget the photos.

[Hezz]

As mentioned above, LTB, washing hands definitely the way to go, but changing clothes probably over the top - unless of course they show signs of illness, and then you really will need to take extra precautions while they are being treated. A month is generally the recommended time for quarantine as BF mentioned. Of course, if they do show signs of illness, quarantine time will need to begin again after treatment. That is how I would approach it anyway. Just to be sure.

[budgiefriend]

Good advice, Hezz.

[LuvtheBudgies]

Um I just decided to let the budgies together for a while because they were so clean looking....hey, they don't look like they have a disease...honest! Ok, I'm a bad budgie mommy i know. They're just so cute whilst they interact! ;D I took Sky and Lizzy out for the night because I want the newbies to have some alone time not being screeched at by Lizzy...that's another story. Lizzy has some 'dominance' issues like, she won't let other birds near her without doing the territorial noise they make. Not sure how I should react so any tips?

The new birds' names are Mango and Kiwi. Mango is a boy and a regular blue I'm pretty sure. Kiwi is a grey/green regular type and a girl.
To explain why I didn't just pictures, well, they aren't very well trained as the lady who gave me them just had them from when her grandson lived with her and didn't ever take them out so they're scared of pretty much everything. They look fairly well taken care of and hopefully will be happy here!

[Hezz]

I'll answer the dominance issue: All you can do is moniter Lizzy with the other birds and intervene before she draws blood. Hopefully it won't get to that but if you know she is a problem then keep a very close eye on her for the time being. Usually the birds will sort out their pecking order without coming to blows too badly, but it is up to you to be vigilant. Do not let her be with the new birds without supervision until you can be sure she is not going to bully them.

[LuvtheBudgies]

I will definitely supervise them when together. Thanks!