Best price for a small supply of Marek's vaccine?

I've seen 1000 doses for anywhere from $15 to $20 before shipping. But I really don't need 1000 doses. Is there a smaller package of the Marek's vaccine out there? I've got chicks hatching this week......

Good question!!!!

I hope someone will give an answer to this.

Are the hatcheriers the only ones that vaccinate?

Just found some information on giving Mark's vaccine.

It can be divided before mixing for furture use.

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/mareks-disease.html

Great link!!!!! I will use that info for sure in the future!

I am curious how you separated the Marek's live vaccine and what type of container did you mix or store the other portion? I have read that the shot is only to be given to day old chicks. Why is that? What might happen if the chick is two or three days, or even a week? I appreciate any advice!

hi they say day old chicks because they want the vaccine given BEFORE exposure to the virus.I gave my vaccine to my older chickens it was fine. my stay inside the house and I was pretty sure they were not exposed yet.I've talked to a chicken Heath expert on this subject and yes the vaccine can be given to older birds. they just want to make sure you give the vaccine before the birds get a chance to contract the virus. also I was told the vaccine was not meant for public it was meant for poultry farms thus the instructions to give at a day old. don't worry its best you give the vaccine even if they are older. they say mareks is such a prolific disease that the younger the better for the birds protection. its a race. to give the vaccine before they get it. you understand what I'm saying. but yes you can vaccinate older birds. I did myself in fact. you want to make sure they are protected from the disease before they contract the disease. so this is why the younger the better. however you can still give the vaccine in hopes they were NOT exposed yet.. I did. so its best to give the vaccine even if older. that's said sadly I think like Around 60% or bigger will get Marek's if not vaccinated. even safer 5% of vaccinated birds will still get Marek's but I believe the vaccine stops the tumors.you have a much better percentage if you DO vaccinate: older or not. follow the directions to a TEE on mixing the vaccine please because the vaccine is very fragile. it MUST be given within one hour of mixing. I bought my vaccine for 19 dollars from first state vet supply. you give the vaccine UNDER the skin of neck NOT into muscle. my birds didn't even flinch. they did NOT get a reaction nor did they get sick. its very easy. just follow directions on mixing and administer under the skin of neck. there is a great YouTube video on how to give the shot.watch the shot part because a few are not mixing the vaccine correctly. but this should help! I hope this helps you out. you should order the vaccine soon. good luck.

the bottle comes with a diluting agent.you take the specified amount with a syringe and dilute the vaccine with the agent.then mix.then you will withdraw the vaccine with a syringe and place the entire contents of vaccine into diluent then you will mix the diluent and with a fresh clean syringe draw up the amount of vaccine. then you can administer sub Q which is under the skin of neck.pinch up the skin with thumb and pointer finger making sure the needle only goes UNDER the skin not into muscle or out of the other side. after you administration you might feel a small bubble under the skin. this is normal. my birds didn't even feel it. hope this helps and answers your questions. good luck.

That is perfect information and exactly what I needed. Thank you for explaining it. I will be meeting to pick up 20 Silver Grey Dorkings from a lady who keeps a closed farm. I can't even go to her place because she is so concerned about Merek's. She has not had any chicken illnesses and believes it is because of her security. I haven't had any signs of Merek's but I have always bought chicks that have been vaccinated. The Dorkings breeder has not given the Merek's vaccine to the chicks because she hatches out at smaller numbers and staggered dates. I will be getting chicks that are a range of ages from day or two old up to a couple of weeks. That is why I was concerned about how old they could be when injected. I have a huge room inside the house that I keep my young birds until ready to head out into the larger grow coop with individual fenced yard. So I will plan on keeping the older ones in the house for at least two weeks to allow the vaccine to take effect before moving them near my other birds. Thanks!

Bantie said:

That is perfect information and exactly what I needed. Thank you for explaining it. I will be meeting to pick up 20 Silver Grey Dorkings from a lady who keeps a closed farm. I can't even go to her place because she is so concerned about Merek's. She has not had any chicken illneed sses and believes it is because of her security. I haven't had any signs of Merek's but I have always bought chicks that have been vaccinated. The Dorkings breeder has not given the Merek's vaccine to the chicks because she hatches out at smaller numbers and staggered dates. I will be getting chicks that are a range of ages from day or two old up to a couple of weeks. That is why I was concerned about how old they could be when injected. I have a huge room inside the house that I keep my young birds until ready to head out into the larger grow coop with individual fenced yard. So I will plan on keeping the older ones in the house for at least two weeks to allow the vaccine to take effect before moving them near my c other birds. Than

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Mareks can be brought in by wild birds but security is very helpful
also you can not store the vaccine once mixed with the activator, and it must be used with in a couple of hrs. if you can find the wafer you can break it in 4ths, and estimate 1/4 of the dilutant then only mix 1/4th. I have seen it for $17 but they want you to buy a cooler for mailing $15 then postage and handeling is another $22,
don't know why you need a cooler if it is a wafer??

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Thank you for pointing out that wild birds can bring in Mareks to your flock. I do have wild mallards landing in my pond each winter. While a beautiful site, I have always worried about disease.