Bob Blosl's Heritage Large Fowl Thread

[catdaddyfro]

There is no shedding of virus from the Fowl Pox vaccine. I have read some studies that show Mareks does not shed a virus either. Mareks is everywhere and chick are exposed to it as soon as they hatch. The recommended method for inoculating for it is to inject the vaccine into the egg prior to hatching.

I do not raise mine Organic but am feeding them GMO Free, non soy, non corn feed. I have never vaccinated for anything but have used wormers and Corid for Coccidiosis.

People still want Free Range and etc. The eggs I sell are in great demand. I only process for myself so it is not a big problem there.

I practice the same here never lost a bird due to fowl pox either, Mareks yes but still think the practice of survival of the fittest is best here for that. The strong with good immune systems should handle this alright, the ones that would get it usually could contract anything else too in my findings, natural selection at its best.

Jeff

 

[catdaddyfro]

Marek's is indeed everywhere: the feed store, the hardware store, heck, likely even at Wally World. If you have chickens, you are going to run up against Marek's, it's just a fact of life. You can vaccinate for it, or breed for resistance, but be aware some breeds are better at resistance than others.

When I bred Dutch bantams I vaccinated every single one, as they were very susceptible to it. With my Buckeyes, I am breeding for resistance, as they are nowhere near as susceptible.

And fwiw, I have never heard of vaccinating eggs for Marek's, I always do chicks. I even have a step by step tutorial on my website on how to do it, which you can see here: http://pathfindersfarm.com/Vaccinate.html

And my two cents on Fowl Pox is, if you're seeing it, you should vaccinate, because the wet form can be very hard on a flock. And I am the biggest crunchy-granola all-natural person you can imagine. But I wouldn't be willing to lose significant numbers of birds if I started seeing Fowl Pox.

Yes they do vaccinate the eggs on day 18 when moving them from the incubator to the hatcher as they are going thru the last candle check and discarding the bad ones.

This is standard procedure in the broiler and egg industries they can't take the chance on multi-thousands of birds all contracting Mareks too many times

Discovery had a good documentary on all this a few years back. I can't remember when/where it was posted up on here but if I find it I shall pass on the link.

Jeff

 

[Yellow House Farm]

We don't vaccinate because it's not a problem, but we would vaccinate were it to become a problem.

 

[gjensen]

Fowl Pox came through our area last year. Some lost birds. Some lost a lot of birds. I never saw more than a few tell tale scabs. I will not vaccinate, unless it forces me to change my mind.
I have no moral objections to vaccinations. If it becomes necessary, I will. Necessary means that I cannot raise a healthy flock of birds otherwise. Losing one or two, does not mean necessary.
I need my flock to stand on it's own two feet. I do not want to go down the slippery slope of protecting them from everything. I do not want to worry about what I cannot control, and mosquitoes are an inconvenient part of life. Birds were raised in the south long before pox vaccinations were around.

 

[aveca]

no shedding means killed vaccine..

 

[Matt1616]

So no one raises organic chickens anymore that just live a natural life without vaccinations? This is vaccinating a normal thing? How does using this Fowl Pox vac affect ones sales and eating the bird's eggs? Will people still buy birds and eggs from a vac flock? Or will they fear their flocks being exposed to shedding virus? Does it hurt humans to eat eggs and birds from vaccinated flocks? Once one has Fowl Pox on their property, is the property forever tainted like tat other dreaded poultry disease?
Thanks,
Karen

3riverschick, are you being sarcastic or are these real questions?

 

[Wynette]

I do not vaccinate - for anything.

 

[melroseladi]

I do not vaccinate nor do I use any medicated feed.

Penny

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: No, I m serious. I know all about vaccinating in dogs But there are so many conflicting opinions in the poultry world,
I have not been able to make heads or tails of it. Just which vaccinations are really needed and at what ages?
And what effects do they have on eating birds/eggs and one's flock's reputation?
Best,
Karen

 

[cbnovick]

Yes they do vaccinate the eggs on day 18 when moving them from the incubator to the hatcher as they are going thru the last candle check and discarding the bad ones.

This is standard procedure in the broiler and egg industries they can't take the chance on multi-thousands of birds all contracting Mareks too many times

Discovery had a good documentary on all this a few years back. I can't remember when/where it was posted up on here but if I find it I shall pass on the link.

Jeff

Vaccinations via egg...very cool and convenient... means puncturing the egg or would the pores of the egg absorb a 'rub on' type application....I am assuming they avoid the air cell?