Can Broody hen raise chicks?

[blondie55555]

I’m considering adding new Merek vaccinated chicks (non broody) to my nonMerek vaccinated flock.

I want to let their future eggs hatch utilizing my existing broody hens. Is there any danger of diseases etc being passed from a healthy hen to chicks that I should be concerned with? Merek? Could a 2 year old hen be a carrier of Avian leukosis and pass it to these hatchlings?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I’m considering adding new Merek vaccinated chicks (non broody) to my nonMerek vaccinated flock.

I want to let their future eggs hatch utilizing my existing broody hens. Is there any danger of diseases etc being passed from a healthy hen to chicks that I should be concerned with? Merek? Could a 2 year old hen be a carrier of Avian leukosis and pass it to these hatchlings?

Not sure what you mean really.

Chickens can be carriers of diseases and pass them along. There's no guarantees against disease.

Do you have any issues now with Marek's or AVL?

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I’m considering adding new Merek vaccinated chicks (non broody) to my nonMerek vaccinated flock.

I want to let their future eggs hatch utilizing my existing broody hens. Is there any danger of diseases etc being passed from a healthy hen to chicks that I should be concerned with? Merek? Could a 2 year old hen be a carrier of Avian leukosis and pass it to these hatchlings?

Do you mean adding hens/pullets, or young chicks?
Theres no way to prevent your chickens passing on mareks to the others, other than keeping them seperate. If your flock doesn’t display any symptoms, and haven't had mareks before, then they probably do not have mereks, and won’t pass it to the chicks. You should definitely quarantine the new chicks before you add them to your flock.

 

[blondie55555]

Thank you, I’m looking to add day old chicks. They will be in a separate pen from old flock, at least until juveniles. I think I’m being overly sensitive regarding Mereks. I will have them vaccinated.