A 30–45 day period of isolation when introducing a new bird to a household with existing birds, to prevent transmission of infectious disease.
When you bring a new bird home, even from a reputable source, you should keep it physically separated from any existing birds for at least 30 days, ideally 45. House the new bird in a different room, and care for your existing birds first to avoid carrying pathogens on your hands or clothes.
Quarantine catches infections that incubate silently — psittacosis, polyomavirus, PBFD — before they can spread to your existing flock. A vet visit during week one of quarantine is the standard of care.
If you only have one bird, quarantine is less critical, but you should still avoid bringing the bird into contact with strangers' birds for the first month while it adjusts.
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