Adding Infected Chickens to Flock

[BigBlueHen53]

They are striking!

 

[BDutch]

Why doesnt anyone consider buying hatchery eggs? I know the cockerels are a pain in the ass if you don’t want to cull chickens, but its very safe to add eggs, and raise the chicks yourself. Or you can buy some for a broody if you have one. That is unless you had Marek in your own flock.

I never had Marek or any fatal respiratory diseases in my flock and added hatchery eggs from private sellers several times. No need for vaccinations this way either.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, to a point. Mareks doesn't come through eggs, but Mycoplasma can.
And if I ever buy an incubator, I'm doomed! The chicken explosion won't be pretty, will need way more coop space!
Mary

 

[BDutch]

Eggs from a chicken with Mycoplasma often have a glaze looking point. This and other strange looking eggs should be avoided as hatchery eggs.

Also decent people dont sell hatchery eggs from sick hens. The profits are low and people who sell hatchery eggs have not much to gain selling their eggs just a bit more expensive. Hatchery eggs often cost €1 for regular breeds.

This makes the risk to bring in diseases with hatchery eggs really very minimal.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about hatchery eggs, but would worry about eggs from many 'backyard' folks. Like the people the OP got those birds from recently!
Mary