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Chickens and parrots are bad combination
I would like to have some chickens at my house but am concerned that my macaw could get diseases from them. What are the hazards and what steps do I need to take to protect my macaw?
-- Tammy Miller, Bayview, Idaho
You are wise to be concerned. If you keep him separated from your chickens, your macaw might be safe from diseases transmitted directly from one bird to another, such as salmonella. However, he would still be susceptible to Exotic Newcastle Disease, a highly contagious virus that affects all species of birds and can be carried from one location to another on contaminated hands, clothing and shoes.
END is always fatal. Symptoms include respiratory distress and swelling of the head and tissues around the eyes. However, the virus is so virulent that some birds die without showing any clinical signs.
If you decide to get chickens, purchase them from a commercial source and isolate them for 30 days to observe for any signs of illness. However, keep in mind that if there ever is an outbreak of END among poultry in your area, you may be in for trouble. Federal officials quarantine and destroy all suspected birds, and if your macaw keeps company with chickens, he could be at risk.
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