Coccidiosis vaccines

[chicktwins]

I am new to chickens and have 26 chicks coming in a few weeks. They are being vaccinated for Marek's disease as well as Coccidiosis. In my research of these two things I found that the coccidiostat most widely used are a spot on application to the back of the chick. Does this topical application make handling the chicks unsafe?

 

[crtrlovr]

I wouldn't think so, but if I had the option, I'd definitely go for it. I've lost chickens and a duck to coccidiosis, and that was while they were being medicated. Apparently we have a lot of it here, and the strains are not affected by Corid. If I were to ever get chickens from a hatchery or a breeder who vaccinated chicks before shipping them out, I'd use the "kitchen sink" approach -- vaccinate them for everything I could. Watching a chicken die from Marek's and/or coccidiosis is not something you want to experience firsthand -- trust me on this.

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

Just be sure that you feed them NON-medicated feed. If you use the medicated, it nullifies the vacination.

and enjoy those chicks.

 

[chicktwins]

Yes definitely I will feed non medicated chick starter. Thanks for the reply. Still have the question about the safety in handling them after vaccine at the hatchery??

 

[chickensinwasillaAK]

I've had my previous chicks vaccinated at the hatchery, I handled each one every day and haven't grown an extra arm or wings or anything, so I think it's safe. Even if Topical, it would be dry by the time you got the chicks.