Connecticut!

[Adenium]

Muzzie,

Did you do the thigh instead of the back of the neck? I heard somewhere on here of someone having paralysis in their silkie after trying the neck site, so I think I'll try for thigh. I just hope there's enough skin to get a subcutaneous rather than getting the muscle.

New chick - As far as I know (from watching a Dirty Jobs episode snippet on YouTube) the hatcheries use an automated needle system - they hold the back of the chick's neck up against the machine and it's pressure-activated and delivers the shot. I bet it's not the most accurate delivery - hence my decision to just do the silkies and standard fowl together myself. I think it's about $30 or so and gives you way more vaccine than you need. Oh well. Could be worse.

If I do it, I'll certainly do it on day 1 or 2 after their delivery and they won't be getting outside exposure until they're a few weeks old.

I know small flocks can be replaced, but I certainly don't want to lose ours. It was trouble enough trying to get a date when all of the desired chicks are available - and if we replace we'll need the minimum for shipping all over again. Just because my husband wants the sexed silkies! I should really make HIM do the injections. He'd pee his pants.

 

[Muzzie]

Where do you get this vaccine from? I am not sure if my chicks have been done or not would it hurt them if I did it

There are several mail order poultry suppliers that carry and ship vaccines the shipping is the expensive part of the cost it is sent overnight with ice packs in a styrofoam cooler it needs to be kept cool. The vaccines certainly will not harm them if you choose to do it now.
Randal Burkey and Jeffers are two of the companies that on the top of my head come to mind.

 

[Muzzie]

Muzzie,
Did you do the thigh instead of the back of the neck? I heard somewhere on here of someone having paralysis in their silkie after trying the neck site, so I think I'll try for thigh. I just hope there's enough skin to get a subcutaneous rather than getting the muscle.
New chick - As far as I know (from watching a Dirty Jobs episode snippet on YouTube) the hatcheries use an automated needle system - they hold the back of the chick's neck up against the machine and it's pressure-activated and delivers the shot. I bet it's not the most accurate delivery - hence my decision to just do the silkies and standard fowl together myself. I think it's about $30 or so and gives you way more vaccine than you need. Oh well. Could be worse.
If I do it, I'll certainly do it on day 1 or 2 after their delivery and they won't be getting outside exposure until they're a few weeks old.
I know small flocks can be replaced, but I certainly don't want to lose ours. It was trouble enough trying to get a date when all of the desired chicks are available - and if we replace we'll need the minimum for shipping all over again. Just because my husband wants the sexed silkies! I should really make HIM do the injections. He'd pee his pants.

I did administer the shots to the neck there is plenty of loose skin there for the small amount of vaccine you will be delivering. I don't feel there is enough skin on the thigh. The person that had paralysis may have injected into the spinal column instead of subcutaneous.

 

[Adenium]

OK, thanks - I will check them out and pick a good spot. I'm guessing the poor person with paralysis had a chick jerk backwards on them or something.

I just saw your post about the hatcheries vaccinating into the egg before hatch. I've never heard of that but will have to investigate now!

 

[Muzzie]

OK, thanks - I will check them out and pick a good spot. I'm guessing the poor person with paralysis had a chick jerk backwards on them or something.
I just saw your post about the hatcheries vaccinating into the egg before hatch. I've never heard of that but will have to investigate now!

I can't remember which hatchery had a video on their site that showed the process I had though previous to seeing the video that they did each chick by hand. I'm sure you'll find it. I hold the chick in my left hand and syringe in the right (I am right handed) pinkie,ring and middle finger using thumb and index to lift and hold skin. I used tuberculin syringes one for each chick didn't want to cause any more discomfort then required.

 

[Muzzie]

Vaccinating for Mareks Disease

Here is a good link that shows the process I printed it out and had it handy for my first time.

 

[Adenium]

I was going to use TB syringes, but they're 25 gauge I think and the label for the vaccine (on the Jeffers website) says use 20-22 gauge. Given that it's a virus I wouldn't think a small gauge would alter it, but I wonder that they specified a larger needle. Poor little chicks. Even on my patients, I give heparin through an insulin needle rather than TB syringe, just to make the stick a little more tolerable.

 

[Muzzie]

I was going to use TB syringes, but they're 25 gauge I think and the label for the vaccine (on the Jeffers website) says use 20-22 gauge. Given that it's a virus I wouldn't think a small gauge would alter it, but I wonder that they specified a larger needle. Poor little chicks. Even on my patients, I give heparin through an insulin needle rather than TB syringe, just to make the stick a little more tolerable.

There a two sizes recommended one to mix the vaccine and the smaller to vaccinate

 

[Adenium]

It says 20-22 for the vaccination itself. However, I think I'll probably use the TB as it's small and manageable.

I love BYC. Otherwise I'd be all by my lonesome in this! NOBODY I know has chickens. Except now my sister, who is a newbie of 2 weeks. And was smart enough to get big fat chicks that the hatchery vaccinated for her.

 

[Muzzie]

Here is that machine you were talking about to vaccinate day old chicks at the hatchery I hope these links work
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?: That is the question
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