How to vaccinate chicks?

[FMAFarms]

It's my understanding that hatcheries either inoculate chicks while in the egg or as they are newly hatched. I've read that this vaccine should only be given to day-old hatches. However, I contacted our state university's poultry research farm and was told that the vaccine can be administered to chicks as old as 5 weeks of age as long as they have not been exposed to Marek's. That's where we are right now, prepping to inoculate several 4 week olds and two week olds this weekend (which is when this stupid coughing bug should be done with, you hear me, stupid coughing bug?).

Tractor Supply does not carry the Marek's vaccine. They carry all sorts of vaccines for horses and cows and dogs, but when I asked about the Mareks's vaccine, they pulled out their big old book of things they order and said that the Marek's vaccine isn't available to them. When I called the county extension office, they had no clue (they said they could answer questions about showing poultry in exhibitions but not about vaccinating them!!!). I asked the poultry research farm folks and they told me they obtain their vaccine from Twin City Poultry Supplies in Ohio. We ordered from there and they were excellent about shipping quickly and keeping us in the loop about our order.

You can get the syringes from TSC, though!

 

[Kim_NC]

I've given it to any age chicks and up to 18 month old adults. It won't help them if they've already been exposed. However, it does work if they're not yet exposed and infected. Here's how I look at it - it can't hurt and you might as well try. I'd do it for an adult bird over 18 mo that was important to me as breeding stock (or maybe as a pet for some folks).

I buy vaccine from First State Vet Supply.
http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/

The vaccine comes in components as a tablet and diluent (anywhere you buy it - but our TSC doesn't carry it). You keep them cold, then mix and use within 30 minutes to an hour. But for small flock owners, you can divide the components in 1/4s and make the vaccine go much further by using in the smaller batches. The components must be stored in the refrigerator.

Read more about the vaccine, how it works, how to divide, and proper storage here:

http://www.firststatevetsupply.com/content/view/17/37/

 

[queengwennypoo]

Link doesn't work, is there another place to read about how to divide vaccines? I have a little bottle of Mareks and a little bottle of Fowl pox, but they don't say how much per chick to give.

 

[motherhubbert68]

Has anyone used vaccines in the water for dayold chicks? Where do you get the vavaccines? Would like to start vaccinating my hatches. Had a rough year this year ... learned my lesson though will never happen again.