Written by: Bria Osborne, OVC 2026
Edited by: Dr. Paisley Canning
Acquiring new birds is an exciting time! It can also be a time where disease and parasites are accidentally brought into your exciting flock – and these two things can wreak havoc on your birds.
The following are some recommendations for how to acquire and add poultry to your flock to reduce the risk of a disease event in your flock. These guidelines are most relevant to chickens but we encourage folks bringing in any type of bird (waterfowl, pigeons, geese, emus, etc) to follow quarantine and biosecurity principles outlined in this blog
Buying from an accredited hatchery:
Buying from an accredited hatchery is an ideal situation when acquiring birds. These hatcheries have accountability, quality control programs, and salmonella monitoring. These hatcheries can also have breeder flock health programs where the commercial parent flocks are given an array of vaccinations and boosters that stimulate antibodies for their chicks you will be purchasing.
Be sure to ask the hatchery directly if they offer vaccinated chicks and if so, ask what specific vaccinations are given Chicks that are sold by hatcheries can receive vaccinations either in ovo (in the egg) at 18-day gestation or at the day they hatch. These vaccinations include Mareks disease, coccidiosis, infectious bronchitis, and vector vaccines ( vHVT + IBV, +ILT, +NDV). Having these vaccinations done at the hatchery allows them to be vaccinated before ever being exposed to the pathogen, this increases your bird’s protection.
By purchasing your birds from an accredited hatchery, you are giving your birds a head start against disease, decreasing some disease risk factors for your flock, and gives you a better chance at having healthy birds in the future.
Only purchase new birds from reputable suppliers
Be sure to ask your supplier about their flock’s health and vaccination status as well as their biosecurity protocols. By doing your research and finding a reputable supplier, you are increasing your chance of bringing healthy birds to your flock and decreasing the risk for disease. The health status of the birds should be assessed regularly by a veterinarian and through diagnostic testing. Many viral and bacteria diseases are present in carrier states where the bird can look and appear healthy, only to be harboring dangerous viruses that can make your flock sick.
Make sure new birds to your flock are vaccinated against the common diseases in your area
Reach out to Dr. Canning to ask what common diseases your pullets should be vaccinated against and what vaccination protocol would work best for your birds. Generally, we always recommend that birds are vaccinated for Marek’s disease which is a huge issue in backyard flocks.
Avoid buying birds from auctions, kijiji, and bird swaps if possible
Many poultry diseases are spread through the trading of birds with unknown or questionable health histories. These sources are not accredited and often do not have to adhere to health or vaccination protocols for their birds. Often well-meaning folks will sell or purchase birds at this events that seem healthy at the time of the sale, but a few days later become very sick and spread disease to the rest of the flock.
Quarantine all new birds
It is very important to quarantine new birds after bringing them home. Ensuring that the quarantine area is clean and completely separate from existing birds is essential. Be sure to thoroughly disinfect any equipment that is used for existing birds as well as quarantined birds. Quarantining your new birds allows you to monitor their health and is a tool to help make sure that they are not bringing any hidden diseases into your flock.
If you have any questions or want advice about chicken sources to limit disease spread, please reach out to Dr. Canning. You can contact the clinic at [email protected], or on facebook.com/upperthamesvs
References:
WeCAHN and CAHSS small flock poultry course (May 2023)