Beware: Tractor Supply Co. chicks are NOT vaccinated--never

[MIchickenlady]

I just got 6 chicks from tractor supply 2 & 1/2 wks ago, and the title of this post scared me a little. I asked at the store if the chicks were vaccicnated, but they didnt know.
Reading the replies to this post is reassuring that our lil chickies can be healthy without vaccination. Thanks to everyone who commented.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I just got 6 chicks from tractor supply 2 & 1/2 wks ago, and the title of this post scared me a little. I asked at the store if the chicks were vaccicnated, but they didnt know.
Reading the replies to this post is reassuring that our lil chickies can be healthy without vaccination. Thanks to everyone who commented.

they do not vaccinate I am fairly certain as they would cost more

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed, and some of the hatcheries actually have statements in their literature that they DO NOT recommend vaccination for back yard flocks.

 

[Flashpoint]

None of mine have arrived with vaccinations in over 50 years of having chickens, nor have I ever had a problem due to a lack thereof.

 

[cuquitina]

I feel a little awkward by commenting in older posts LOL, but guess this is what happens when you are a newbie looking for information.
One week ago I purchased 4 Rhode Island pullets and 10 Cochin straight run babies.
I have been reading all kinds of opinions about medicated feed, vaccines and medications.
Oh, I have also hatched 13 Coturnix quail that are about to be 1 week old tomorrow.

I am a pro-vaccine woman when it is about humans but not a big fan of giving birds anything but a natural life.

What would be more recommendable in a small hobby farm with some ducks, quail, miniature horses, 2 pygmy goats and now chickens?
They will not be free range but rather enjoy two 20x10ft chicken runs because we have too many prey birds around.

 

[AceSierra]

I do NOT like this way of thinking. Immunity / resistance can be realized through selection when you breed your own birds. If you outsource only, then such thinking may be appropriate in high disease settings. My birds have endured just about everything and have been doing so much longer than we have even recognized the existence of diseases that impact chickens.

so the chicks that survive pass on their Gene's and their immunity to chicks so it's better to buy unvaccinated?

 

[AceSierra]

None of mine have arrived with vaccinations in over 50 years of having chickens, nor have I ever had a problem due to a lack thereof.

this makes me feel better because I'm getting a silkie chick today 6 days old and I had a chicken die at about 1 1/2 years old and devastated me I loved that chicken and theres a lot of stuff about whether you should vaccinate or not and should I vaccinate this chick.

 

[Brand chickens]

I just lost my entire flock to Marek's. None were vaccinated. I was told it is becoming more prevalent, more strains. Even vaccinating does not guarantee anything but a greater chance of survival. We think wild birds brought it in. We live in the country and have ducks, geese, turkeys and many other wild birds nearby. Half our birds came from a local hatchery and the other from Tractor Supply. They were adult birds a few years old, not chicks. I guess each owner can choose for themselves. But I will vaccinate from now on. IF I can ever make my coop, barn and soil safe enough to have them again. It can stay in your soil for years and is super easy to transmit. Best of luck to all!

 

[592784]

I just lost my entire flock to Marek's. None were vaccinated. I was told it is becoming more prevalent, more strains. Even vaccinating does not guarantee anything but a greater chance of survival. We think wild birds brought it in. We live in the country and have ducks, geese, turkeys and many other wild birds nearby. Half our birds came from a local hatchery and the other from Tractor Supply. They were adult birds a few years old, not chicks. I guess each owner can choose for themselves. But I will vaccinate from now on. IF I can ever make my coop, barn and soil safe enough to have them again. It can stay in your soil for years and is super easy to transmit. Best of luck to all!

I was told mine were vaccinated when I bought them from TSC. So I never got them vaccinated or gave them medicated feed. They will be a year old in March. They are exposed to all types of wild birds due to being in the country. I guess I will see what happens in the future.

 

[CreveChris]

I just lost my entire flock to Marek's. None were vaccinated. I was told it is becoming more prevalent, more strains. Even vaccinating does not guarantee anything but a greater chance of survival. We think wild birds brought it in. We live in the country and have ducks, geese, turkeys and many other wild birds nearby. Half our birds came from a local hatchery and the other from Tractor Supply. They were adult birds a few years old, not chicks. I guess each owner can choose for themselves. But I will vaccinate from now on. IF I can ever make my coop, barn and soil safe enough to have them again. It can stay in your soil for years and is super easy to transmit. Best of luck to all!

This is our reason to vaccinate, too. We live in a marsh-side virgin forest we painstakingly restored after a couple of hurricanes and it provides habitat for every possible native and migrating bird. Currently we have wood storks, pelicans, anhingas, ibises, and herons using our dock. Then there are the songbirds, crows, owls, and hawk families. Plus, our flock free ranges part-time and digs to their hearts' content.

(Edit: spelling)