New bird quarantine: Is my existing bird already exposed to illness?

That's a lot of questions! When getting a new bird, it is best to keep them in a separate cage for a few weeks (quarantine) to make sure they do not spread any illness to each other. Once the new bird checks out safe, you can keep them near each other to get used to hearing/seeing each other, and then gradually introduce them, whether on a shared play pen, or in a cage that is large enough to comfortably house both. Make sure you have extra food and water dishes, toys, perches, etc so that they cannot fight over these resources or become territorial. Each bird will have different markings depending on the type of coloration the bird is (there are different varieties of markings) so this will greatly depend on if you purchase a bird with similar markings or not.

Thanks for reaching out about Koko. A female would be preferred. All new birds should be quarantined in a different room for at least 30 days. Diagnostics tests can be performed to ascertain health. Good luck.

The cage set up appears to be appropriate for two parakeets. As suggested by your friend, it is always recommended to have any new pets examined by a veterinarian to confirm good health or to diagnose and treat any pre existing conditions.

Thank you for your questions, and I am sorry to hear about your bird. Yes, the other two birds could have contracted the virus already, so there isn’t necessarily a need to separate them as they have already been exposed. For caging if your bird is falling - the most important part will be to keep everything low so she doesn’t injure herself. Otherwise it can be made of anything (many people will even use Tupperware containers) and can still have toys. Just keep the perches low and make good and water easy to reach. How long she will live varies - some birds still have a relatively long lifespan, while others succumb at a young age. You can help to support her by providing her with a clean environment, good ventilation, and a good diet. This will help to support her immune system as much as possible. I hope that helps, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Usually once they are treated properly for the disease they will not be shedding the bacteria anymore. It is recommended you wait at least 30 days AFTER completion of treatment before exposing her to any new birds. Hope this answers your question. If not, please feel free to post again.

Beak and Feather Disease is extremely contagious and usually lasts for your bird's lifetime until it or a secondary illness cause your bird to pass away. Even birds not showing symptoms can still be carriers for it. If you currently own any birds affected with this illness it would not be good to bring more birds into your home as it is likely to spread between them. If you do have both sick and healthy birds, keeping them separated in other rooms and in completely different environments, as well as using gloves/washing hands between handling can help reduce the chances of spread. Bleaching the cage and letting it sit for several days should kill any virus present, as well as replacing any porous materials such as perches as you've done. However, to be completely sure, it is always best to replace all affected items to be on the safe side.

Thanks for reaching out about Penny. Stress can definitely lead to depression and inappetence. But so can illness. Most birds should be quarantined upon acquisition so they can be accessed prior to introduction to the other bird. For now, provide supplemental heat to make her more comfortable. If she continues to be tired and not eat, a veterinary visit is needed soon. Good luck.