Can I mix vaccinated/non vaccinated birds???

[Trevorusn]

Howdy all,
So looking at getting a roo or two, one of which is a Salmon Faverolle who is 8 weeks old to mix in my flock of now 12-13 week old pullets. My girls were vaccinated against Mareks, and the young roo was not. Is it ok to mix them, and will he need medicated feed?? Or can I feed him on the grower/finisher my pullets are on now??

 

[adickenscoop]

I think its fine to mix them, just be aware that any new adult chickens brought on to your property could be potential sources of Mareks, regardless of whether or not they received the vaccine. This is cuz that vaccine only prevents the symptoms from developing in chickens, it does not stop them from getting infected with the virus, shedding it, and infecting other birds. There is no need to give medicated feed. The only thing medicated feed does it help prevent the chickens from getting coccidiosis, which is only a problem when chickens are kept in unclean, small, overcrowded areas.

 

[Chickassan]

Mixing vaccinated and unvaccinated birds isn’t recommended, especially when they are young. A common mistake is mixing vaccinated with unvaccinated . Whilst vaccinated birds won’t show the clinical signs of a disease like Marek’s, they can still carry it and spread it to unvaccinated birds. It is impossible to work out which birds are the disease carrying birds, so you’ll go on spreading the virus around the unvaccinated birds in your flock.

 

[Trevorusn]

Mixing vaccinated and unvaccinated birds isn’t recommended, especially when they are young. A common mistake is mixing vaccinated with unvaccinated . Whilst vaccinated birds won’t show the clinical signs of a disease like Marek’s, they can still carry it and spread it to unvaccinated birds. It is impossible to work out which birds are the disease carrying birds, so you’ll go on spreading the virus around the unvaccinated birds in your flock.

At what age would it be safe, if age is a factor?? Also, good food for thought...

 

[Trevorusn]

I think its fine to mix them, just be aware that any new adult chickens brought on to your property could be potential sources of Mareks, regardless of whether or not they received the vaccine. This is cuz that vaccine only prevents the symptoms from developing in chickens, it does not stop them from getting infected with the virus, shedding it, and infecting other birds. There is no need to give medicated feed. The only thing medicated feed does it help prevent the chickens from getting coccidiosis, which is only a problem when chickens are kept in unclean, small, overcrowded areas.

So can an older chicken be vaccinated against Marek's?? I did some searching on this forum and it seems you can, but it seems to be a divided opinion.

 

[Kiki]

So can an older chicken be vaccinated against Marek's?? I did some searching on this forum and it seems you can, but it seems to be a divided opinion.

No, in order for the vaccine to work it must be giving at hatch and the bird must stay away for a few weeks from anything that may be contaminated with the Marek's disease or it does not good (the vaccine.)

 

[Kiki]

Also...you mentioned medicated feed...
Medicated feed has nothing to do with preventing Marek's.
It only helps to prevent coccidiosis and sometimes it may not prevent it.

 

[Chickassan]

The thing is it isn't age based. If you add a cockrel or any bird that is unvaccinated if they contract Marek’s they will show symptoms.
Your vaccinated birds can still get spread and die from Marek’s, they just wont show symptoms.
If you just add a cockrel you should be fine, you run risks introducing a bunch at once.
And to answer your question, no older birds can't be vaccinated it is a day 1 vaccine.

At what age would it be safe, if age is a factor?? Also, good food for thought...