Does anyone here NOT vaccinate for fowl pox?

Boggy Bottom Bantams said:

haha
I seen some stuff on this thread that shows people really dont know much about this problem.
Fowl pox is not so much transmitted bird to bird, though it can be if a clean bird picks the scabs of an infected bird. So bringing in new birds IS NOT how your birds get Fowl Pox. Like many viruses, it's transmitted by mosquitoes. Once a mosquito gets it, it can then fly pen to pen and transmit it to every bird it bites.

No, if you are in dry or cold climates where mosquitoes arent a major issue, you most likely have never seen it before and have no need for worrying with it.
However, if you live here in the hot steamy south...give it time, you'll see it if you dont vaccinate if you stay with it long enough.
No it's not deadly in the dry form, wet pox is however. The ability to be healthy and NOT be effected by pox is not true. Arnold Schwarzenegger chicken chicken will get it if it gets bit.
So the "a healthy bird is my goal, if they get it I dont want them" way of thinking is not the case with pox. Breeding for resisitance doesnt work with viruses, That applies ONLY for bacterial infections, any and all birds are susceptible to viruses, period, no matter how strong the line is.

The idea that once infected, you dont want them is wrong too. Once they get over the infection, they will then be immune. Just like us with chicken pox. Get it once and you're done for life, you'll never get it again. Many bacterial infections again are where the "being a carrier for life" comes from, MG and MS are some of these

The idea of them getting the birds sick from the vaccination is not true either. Yes it gives them a MILD case of it. The ONLY sign of the pox is a small bump at the injection site. If your birds develop it, chances are they were already infected before the vaccine. I have done Oh ,3000+ or better birds since an outbreak here 10 years ago. Never once had one get it from the vaccine, so rule that out.

Yes, dry pox is not a big deal. The problem is, even with the healthiest of birds, when they get something like the pox it pulls their immune system down while fighting the virus. At this point they are more prone to catching other bacterial infections they may well other wise naturally fight off. This is where most of your dry pox deaths come from.

SO, that being said, if you are in a mosquito rich environment, or have seen the pox in the past in your flock or area...why not do it. There's NOTHING non organic about it. It's not a chemical, it's a natural vaccine so dont say that. It's for the safety of your flock, healthy or weak, they can all get it, cross breeds or top of the line show birds, it DOENT matter.
A eagle to a sparrow can get it. IT'S CHEAP! a 1000 dose vial is only $6. It's easy to do, can be done at 1 day old and up to adults. There's no withdrawal time for eggs or anything like that.

No I dont vaccinate for other problems, they're not an issue here...but fowl pox are...so why not take the precaution for the health and betterment of your flock IF it's an issue in your area?

Click to expand...