Do chickens need vacinations or other preventive maintenance?

[murdeb]

I have only had my 2 BO's for one month, they are not laying yet. Do they need regular vacinations or deworming like a cat or a dog?

 

[MissJenny]

Some people de-worm every year -- I did mine last year when they were molting, just before winter. It is recommended to not eat the eggs for something like 10 days to 2 weeks after they've been given the worming medicine. Since they aren't laying during a molt anyway and they slow down laying in winter, it seemed to me the most sensible time to worm them.

I vaccinate mine for Marek's immediately after they hatch. Some say to not feed medicated feed if they've been vaccinated -- but the vaccine is against Marek's and the medicated feed is against cocci... so I don't see what one has to do with the other.

How old are your pullet's? In Florida your hens may not noticeably slow down laying like they do here in Ohio where winter's can be cold and dreary. But they should molt which affects egg production.

Jenny

 

[murdeb]

Not sure how old they are, we have had them a month. They are not laying yet and combs are just being to pop up.

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
Here's a couple of links. Fowl pox vaccine might be of interest to you with all the mosquitos:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps030
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm062

 

[murdeb]

Thanks! Everyone is so helpful here!

 

[HenniPenni]

If you use a little DE in their feed there is not withdrawl period. Of course you would only need to worry about withdrawl once they begin laying eggs. I keep DE and use for internal and external paracites with excellent results.

 

[HenniPenni]

Ops! Meant to give you link for more info.

http://urbanchickens.org/blog/diatomaceous-earth-great-your-flock

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
DE doesnt prevent nor kill worms.

 

[Ksane]

No way I'd count on DE to prevent worms, lice or mites. I've seen more than a few wormy, mite-ridden chickens with lice who's owners swore by DE. Worm with Fenbendazole or Valbazen a couple times a year and search closely through their feathers, skin and around their vents for lice or mites. Most parasites come from introducing new birds. So if you get new birds puts them through a 2-4 wk quarrantine period and deworming, de-bugging routine.
About the wormers-Fenbendazole is easier to get, it's Safeguard horse paste. It kills all worms except tapes. Repeat 10 days later to get any newly hatched worm eggs, they get a couple pea sized drops each time. Valbazen kills *all worms. I can't find it anywhere around here but you can order it online. I don't know the dose but I bet Dawg53 does

It needs repeated 10 days later also.
It's really nice to see someone concerned about preventative health concerns with their chickens. I've only had chickens 4-5 months but that was my 1st concern. It just doesn't occur to most people, they worm with Wazine and think they've taken care of it. But Wazine only kills roundworms, nothing else. There's many other dangerous worms chickens get. It's hard to know who to believe or trust, so always get opinions and then research yourself. Don't believe something just because 3 people told you it was true.
Sorry to ramble on.....