Frustrated with SELLERS regarding Marek's Disease Vaccine!

[dundeechickens]

I am a virgin chicken owner. I am looking to add a few new pullets/hens to our newly built coop. I've been calling on craigslist ads in our area and everyone I ask about whether or not their hens are vaccinated, they laugh at me and say "nobody does that". I don't get this at all. My gut tells me to stay away from them and find someone else to buy them from, but does anyone have any input? I have a small animal veterinary background and my inclination is to make sure they're vaccinated, but I'm guessing it's probably easy to advertise vaccinated animals and make that claim since you can't prove otherwise unless the animal gets ill. I'm confused and disappointed. Help!

 

[Shared Acres]

I went to the feed store and they said "you don't vaccinate chickens." And then laughed at me.

I feed them vaccinated feed as chicks, not sure if that does the same. I don't think it's an item readily available.

Maybe you should be asking if they are NPIP certified, which is where the govt. tests the animals for diseases. Mine are.

 

[NYREDS]

NPIP testing has nothing to do with Marek's disease.
I don't vaccinate preferring to breed for resistance.

 

[damselfish]

I'd stay away from them because they laugh at you, not because they don't vaccinate. Good sellers answer questions.

Go check out the breeder area on here, see if there's anyone near you.

I had my original batch of chickens vaccinated for Marek's (I was totally new to chickens), but did not have the second year's done. They have mixed with no problems, but that's personal experience only. I freaked out when I realized I had forgotten to get the second ones done and was sure that they would all die, but nothing happened.

I forgot to say: Welcome to BYC!

 

[speckledhen]

Alot of folks vaccinate for things like Cocci, Newcastle Disease, Mareks, etc. I do not vaccinate any of my own birds, though. They are sadly misinformed.

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

 

[TXmom]

When I ordered my first batch of chicks from Ideal, I had them vaccinated for Mareks...but I've since gotten a few other chicks from people, and I doubt they were vaccinated. All are fine...none have dropped dead from the vaccine or the disease. That's my personal experience....

 

[chickenwhisperer123]

I got a batch of vaccinated birds from Ideal this spring, but a few didnt make it, So I got a reshipment. The replacements werent vaccinated, and now Im 99% sure I have ocular Mareks.

My advice: If you arent going to vaccinate, keep a VERY close eye on them.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
What vaccinated feed is that? Most feeds are medicated, not vaccinated to cause illness on purpose? I'd like to know if there's something new on the market.

I agree - buy from hatcheries of NPIP certified flocks. That won't help against Mareks, but it does show that the people are attentive to their flock.

You can vaccinate birds are adults but even vaccinations won't prevent Mareks if the birds are introduced to active Marek's virus as a high threat before the vaccination has taken hold. Marek's is effective, if used correctly and given time to act, in helping prevent the major problems of Mareks (tumors, eye problems) from happening.

Here's an article you might find useful:
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/poultry-health/mareks-disease.html

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
May I ask, please, what are the symptoms you're seeing?

I had a rooster that had that, well two actually (neither were vaccinated, but then again I had a lot of unvaccinated birds that never had any issues either).

Are you seeing "Grey eye", or enlarged unreactive or unshapen pupils? Are the pupils not reacting to light if you shine a light in and then out of their eyes?