As a general rule, I use a 30 day quarantine for all incoming birds. A quarantine should be a room or living space that is well separated from all other birds. If the new birds have any respiratory symptoms then the quarantine needs to be in a separate building. When birds first arrive, I spend about two days observing behavior and demeanor to determine health status. If the birds appear healthy, then I usually simply quarantine and observe for problems.

If incoming birds have ever lived outdoors then I always administer Perma Guard diatomaceous earth (no other brand) mixed into all food at about 5% of the food ration. DE is very useful in eliminating parasites which are almost guaranteed to be present if birds have lived outdoors. Usually I will use DE for three straight months daily to eliminate all parasites, in which case the quarantine will run 90 days. 

If incoming birds appear puffy or listless, then I will apply overhead heat via a heat lamp with a 60 watt incandescent light (allow them to get away from it if needed) and I will use therapeutic grade essential oils.

ESSENTIAL OILS FOR USE IN QUARANTINE

When I receive new birds that need to be quarantined, I worry primarily about undiagnosed infectious diseases including viral, fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections, as well as mites. Over a thirty day quarantine period, the following essential oils and essential oil blends can be diffused (either via diffuser or with drops on kleenex) to help eliminate possible infections. If birds have been diagnosed with infectious illness, then additional essential oils or additional treatment time may be needed.

• YOUNG LIVING PURIFICATION: antifungal, antibacterial (not Chlamydia), may help with mite eradication when diffused with 5% Young Living Clove oil. 
• YOUNG LIVING THIEVES: antiviral, antibacterial (not Chlamydia), antifungal, anti-parasitic 
• ORIGINAL SWISS AROMATICS THYME THUJANOL: antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial including
  Chlamydia 
• YOUNG LIVING RAVENSARA: primarily antiviral 
• ORIGINAL SWISS AROMATICS PALMAROSA: primarily antiviral 
• YOUNG LIVING LAURUS NOBILIS (BAY LAUREL): primarily antiviral
• You do not want to mix Thieves and Purification, but you may want to add the single oils thyme, ravensara, palmarosa, and/or bay laurel to those blends. I would use Purification (with one or two of the single oils if needed) for one week, then Thieves (with singles if needed) the next week, alternating. Depending on how great a risk of infection you feel you are facing, I would diffuse for up to one hour at a time, two to three times daily, evenly spacing the sessions.
• It would also be a good idea to use Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner to disinfect all the quarantine surfaces including cages.
• IMPORTANT: ALWAYS TAKE TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS OFF AFTER FIVE CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF DIFFUSING TO GIVE THE BIRDS’ BODIES TIME TO PROCESS THE OILS.
• Disclaimer: Statements in this document have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of the information shared in this document is intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or prescribe for any disease; nor is it intended as a replacement for the services of a qualified practitioner or veterinarian. All information is a result of personal research and based on personal experience. The author of this document may not be held liable for the use or misuse of any of the information provided and any individual choosing to use this information assumes all responsibility for doing so. 

Please Note: Many potentially dangerous essential oils can be recognized by their low prices; please avoid all inexpensive oils as they are most certainly not therapeutic grade and could be dangerous for your birds. For details on the safe use of essential oils, please see the article SAFE USE OF THERAPEUTIC GRADE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR BIRDS.

Lainey Alexander