SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/chick-quarantine-30-days

How long should new chickens be kept apart from your flock?

At least 30 days.

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  1. About 2 days
  2. At least 30 days ✔
  3. No time, add them right away

Why: New birds can look healthy and still carry disease. Keeping them separate for a month gives time for sickness to show before it spreads.

Huh, didn't know that: During the separation, care for your old flock first, then the new birds.

The dad joke
Why did the new hen wait a month to meet the flock? She wanted to make a good first impression.
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References

Answer: At least 30 days. New birds can look healthy and still carry disease. Keeping them separate for a month gives time for sickness to show before it spreads.

  1. Backyard Poultry, CDC Healthy Pets, Healthy People www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/about/backyard-poultry.html
    Keep new poultry separated for at least 30 days before they are introduced to your other poultry.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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