Quarantining new cockatiel

[eeyoreandroo]

Hi! I just got a rehomed cockatiel yesterday (roo) as a friend for my current cockatiel (eeyore). I really want to make sure I keep the new bird quarantined for the full 30 days because I don’t know much about where she came from or her health. Unfortunately my house is fairly small and they can hear eachother no matter where they are in the house, and it’s getting them both really worked up. Eeyore has been literally searching my room looking for the other bird. Does anybody have any ideas on how to help? I don’t think we will be able to take 30 days of this and I don’t want to keep stressing out my birds. I’m open to any advice, thanks!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I've been told that quarantine isn't very effective in a small house because people just aren't diligent about hand washing between handling birds and their birds' "stuff".
I don't know how you can keep them from hearing each other and flock calling. I would say put on a fairly loud audio of cockatiel sounds all day so that their calls to each other get "drowned out" and they don't focus so much on the sound of each other. I don't know how much that would help if one bird calls and the other bird calls back immediately. But it may make you nuts hearing cockatiel calls sunrise to sunset for 30 days.

Do you have a friend or family member with no birds that would keep New Bird Roo (safely) isolated for you?

 

[eeyoreandroo]

I agree that giving her to another home for the month would be my best option. I do think I have people who would be willing to do it, they just don’t have any bird experience so I would be worried about making sure they kept her safe (mostly with cooking and scents that could be hazardous) Also her quarantine cage is fairly small so I want to be able to let her out and bond with her, which I don’t think I trust someone else to do. But if that is what’s safest I could try it. Do you guys think that is the best option? Also what about just scheduling a vet visit and getting all the bloodwork and testing done — or is the 30 days still crucial?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I would do the vet visit and only quarantine for a couple weeks at friends house. You would need to visit very often so chose someone who wouldn't mind seeing a lot of you! Modest payment would help.