Quarantine for New Animals

Why do new animals need to be kept separate?

Many diseases and parasites show no signs at first. An animal can be shedding germs while it looks bright and eats well, and travel stress can make hidden illness appear days after arrival. Keeping newcomers apart gives any problem time to show before it reaches the animals you already have.

Quarantine protects the new animal too. A stressed animal in a strange group is more likely to get sick, and it is easier to watch and care for one on its own. This applies to purchases, borrowed animals, animals returning from shows or fairs, and rescues.

Quarantine is also a good time to learn the animal's habits. Note how it eats, drinks, moves and rests, so any change later is easy to spot.

What does a good quarantine area look like?

The best quarantine area is truly separate. Ideally it sits well away from your other animals, with no shared fence line, no shared water and no shared air if you can manage it. Wind, runoff and shared fences can all carry germs. On a small property, perfect separation is hard, so do the best you can and ask your vet how to close the gaps.

Plan the space before the animal arrives. It needs shelter, clean bedding, feed and water buckets that stay in that area, and a way to clean it afterward. Choose ground that drains well so manure and water do not run toward other pens.

If you cannot build a separate pen, a stall in a different building or a fenced corner far from the herd is better than nothing. Ask your vet how to improve it, and avoid sharing water.

• Separate pen, as far from the herd as possible
• Its own feed and water containers
• Dedicated boots and gloves if you can
• Easy to clean and disinfect after use

How long should quarantine last?

There is no single number that fits every species and situation. The right length depends on the animal, where it came from, what diseases your vet is concerned about in your area, and any testing you do. Ask your veterinarian for a plan before the animal comes home, and ask your state veterinarian or extension office whether local rules apply to animals you bring in.

Treat the period as a minimum, not a deadline. If an animal shows any sign of illness, the clock stops and your vet should be called. Do not move it in with the others just because the planned days have passed.

Poultry are often kept apart in a separate coop or pen, with no shared run, because respiratory diseases spread through the air and on feathers and dust. Ask your vet or extension office how long newcomers should be kept apart in your area.

What should you do during quarantine?

Do chores for your healthy animals first and the quarantined animal last, so you do not carry germs from the new animal to the herd. Wash hands, change or clean boots, and keep tools in the quarantine area. Disease often travels on people and equipment, not just through animal contact.

Check the new animal at least twice a day and write down what you see: appetite, manure, breathing, coat or feathers, behavior and energy. Ask your vet about testing, parasite checks and any vaccinations to schedule. Do not give any medicine unless your vet directs it.

What warning signs should you watch for?

Call your veterinarian if you see coughing, nasal or eye discharge, diarrhea, lameness, skin lesions, swelling, a drop in feeding, lethargy, unusual behavior, or sudden death. Poultry signs can include respiratory sounds, swollen faces, drops in egg laying and unexplained deaths.

Some animal diseases must be reported, and the rules vary by state. If you see sudden deaths or signs of a serious disease, call your vet and your state veterinarian right away rather than waiting. Keep other animals and visitors away from the quarantine area until you have advice.

Keep a short log of each check, with the date and what you saw. If you need to call your vet, the log gives them useful information quickly.

How do you end quarantine safely?

Before the animal joins the herd, ask your vet to review how it did and whether any tests or checks are still needed. Introduce it gradually, for instance with a fence between groups for a time, so social stress is lower.

Clean the quarantine area thoroughly and let it rest before the next use. Costs fall into categories: fencing and pen materials, separate feed and water equipment, vet checks and tests, and your extra time. Build the space once and you can use it for years.

If you buy animals regularly, keep a standing quarantine routine on the wall: where the animal goes, who does chores, who to call. A routine you repeat is a routine you follow when you are tired.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.