Questions For Big Bird? Birds Coming Out of Quarantine

Question:

What do I need to have on hand to best care for some new birds coming out of quarantine?

Answer:

First, it is critical to try and prevent problems. Upon arrival immediately treat with Dr. Rob Marshall's (Laraine www.ladygouldian.com) S76 on the first two days followed by two consecutive days of Dr. Rob Marshall's  KD powder.  S76 treat not only air sac mites but also normal bird body mites that can build up under stressful situations and lead to illnesses. After the first treatment, a second two consecutive treatment is given a week later. Bird with air sac mites should receive a third treatment after an additional week. All birds should receive the two consecutive day treatment during warm weather and once a month the rest of the year.

S76 will kill red and northern mites, airsac mites, deplumbing (feather) mites, blood parasites (Microfloria), blood sucking lice, flies, and roundworms. It is effective in treating Acaria spp. Spiruroid worms and gizzard worms.

KD powder helps birds develop their natural immunity and is active against Strep, E. coli, Thrush, fungus and virus infections. Continue using it weekly till breeding season preparation. At that time, continue on cocks but I do not use it on hens that are laying or setting (I think it has a negative effect on the hens incubation temperature and have used it to stop hens from sitting when they refuse to give up nesting). I use KD daily the first week once their chicks hatch to prevent crop infections in newborn chicks and settling the hens stomach so she keeps feeding.

Second, outside of mites, the second most common problem is soft molt. It is prevented by using some World Organic brand liquid multiple B vitamins in the water with regular vitamins on days not giving S76 or KD and by immediately feed high carb diet (canary seed, oats, white bread) and very low protein (no hard boiled or oily seeds).

Third, if the birds are ill, treat with enrofloxin (baytril) available from lady gouldian finch. I had quite a time with my last imports being so sick, it is all on the blog.

Fourth, have some lugol's iodine or vanodine available to treat foot infections.