First things you need:

1) take the new bird to the vet! Get gram stains to check for bacterial or fungal infections, and also get the bird screened for internal parasites INCLUDING protozoal infections like Giardia.

2) send in blood tests to check for AT LEAST Avian Polyoma, PBFD, and Psittacosis.

At MINIMUM you should change your clothes after handling the other bird. Don't let the new bird be in any room where your bird goes, use any of his things, etc. once that bird is gone, completely disinfect the room he was in to the best of your ability.


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Thank you, SilverSage!

Unfortunately, I don't have the ability (financially) or the authority to take this persons bird to the vet.

Without being able to do so, would you suggest that we not take this bird in? While I am very concerned for this birds health and safety, I don't want to risk the welfare of my own.

 

Quarantine. And if you can't take the bird to the vet, I would recommend using quarantine the whole time it's in your house. Separate rooms and I would keep a shirt in the room with the new bird that you use ONLY for him, that way you aren't spreading anything to your baby.

I don't see any issue with you taking in the bird as long as it doesn't come in contact with your baby. I would wash your hands in between birds, maybe keep hand sanitizer close by to use.

 

Thank you, Roxy Culver!

Sammy (my tiel) lives in the upstairs of the house, so we are planning to keep Syd down in the dining room, which is at the other end of the house. Being that Syd is somewhat aggressive, even if I knew he were completely healthy, I wouldn't want him near Sammy. He's a very sweet bird, but he doesn't get time out of his cage, so he's in no way been trained. Also, I wouldn't want Sammy to pick up any habits.

I love the idea of keeping a shirt to wear just with Syd, I think that will be very helpful!
:wf cinnamon:

 

If you want to be extra safe, get a pair of flipflops (or other shoes that are easy to rinse in water and peroxide or bleach.) that you can wear exclusively in the room where you keep the african grey. Preferably footwear that doesn't need hands to put on or take off.

We had a breakout of avian flu (I believe...) near our school recently. They keep lots of birds on school grounds (chickens, pigeons/doves, several species of ducks and other birds that live on and around water, and a large aviary with a huge variety of tropical birds, budgies, parrots, toos.....) so for our animals' and our own sake, these sections were closed off temporarily and could only be accessed by caretakers. They had to wear rubber boots that were specifically for that person, to be worn in that section. Otherwise we still had a risk of spreading disease across all our birds if one section got ill.

 

I am going through this also, My friends cockatoo died, then a couple weeks later 1 of the ag in the next cage got sick,(3 days ago) so I brought the other cockatoo home with me. daytime he stays outside in a cage I built for him, night time hes in the spare bedroom at the far end of the house. I have been wearing a sweat shirt when I handle Buddy,( but mostly because he makes my arm bleed), I wash my hands more often then I did when I worked at the hospital. anyways, I would like to know how to disinfect cage and room once he goes back home.

 

Lore, thank you! I have gotten in the habit (and I hope this doesn't make me sound completely neurotic!) of taking off my socks when I go into my room, so as not to track in any debris on the chance that Sammy may play on the floor. Do you think that would be sufficient? Otherwise, maybe a cheap pair of off-brand crocks?

I'm sorry to hear about the outbreak you had, that must have been scary for all of you at the school!

Chris-and-dino, I'm so sorry to hear about your friends Cockatoo! I hope his/her African Grey gets better soon!