The Question Of Quarantine

Many people buy from shows and sales – Paul Donvan considers what you should do when you get them home?

- Paul Donvan

The word “quarantine” is believed to have originated back in the 14th century as a way of protecting ports from plague epidemics such as the Black Death. Venice established the first recognised system of quarantine, requiring ships to sit at anchor for 40 days before landing; hence “Quarantine” comes from the Latin words quaranta giorni which mean for forty.

Although this important element of disease control is widely used in the commercial poultry industry, few homestead poultry keepers employ it. However, it should be an integral part of poultry management when new birds are purchased. Quarantine is a period of time when a person or animal (in our case poultry) is isolated form other birds to reduce the risk of spreading any infection or parasites they may have to pre-existing stock. During this time diseases or illnesses which they may show can be treated, and the individual brought to full fitness before being introduced to other birds.

It is tempting for many people to acquire new birds and then integrate them into existing stock straight away. Without a quarantine period, you are putting these birds at risk of contracting infections or parasites which the other birds may be carrying. At most you may be lucky and get away with nothing happening. At worst you could lose your entire flock to some disease. So view quarantine as an essential part of poultry management.

Selecting birds