I wish I knew.. DO YOU KNOW?

[microchick]

Been there done that @duluthralphie. I don't know how many times I've mumbled 'run away, run away' and quickly closed a thread due to the temptation of typing something that is going to earn me a slap on the wrist.

Really hard for a natural red head to do.

Frankly, when I see one of my bird galloping around with a mouse clamped firmly in it's beak my first thought is YAY! Extra Protein!

Chickens will be chickens, afterall. Which is why mine like to walk past their water container wth sparkling fresh water in it and opt to drink out of a mud puddle instead.

I introduced my first two vaccinated birds into my flock this spring. Two little BBR pullets that I bought as fledglings at Orschelns to keep a lone chick company. The chick later died at 9 weeks of Marek's but the two little BBRs are so far so good. They are both laying and since I'm in this as a hobby, quality is not a high concern of mine. Survival is high on the list though so I am watching these two little ladies closely to see how they fare with my exposed, infected, carrier flock.

I'm hoping that since I bought them as fledglings and they had a chance to build up an immunity after vaccination by the hatchery that supplied the birds, they may have a chance. My big fear is NOT knowing which virus they were vaccinated against compared with the one I have ravaging our property.

I agree. It would be a big help to know.

 

[duluthralphie]

I doubt this.....they aren't going to spend the money unless it's asked and paid for.
...pet peeve that vaccination is often not clarified with what vaccination, disease and strain.

I have not purchased birds in ages from a hatchery, but I thought they had a place to add vaccinations to your order. The cost to a large hatchery is less than a penny for Marek's vaccine. I think the last I recall they added 80 cents for this. Not a bad mark up.

I would ask before ordering, what vaccines they use and have available.

 

[duluthralphie]

Been there done that @duluthralphie. I don't know how many times I've mumbled 'run away, run away' and quickly closed a thread due to the temptation of typing something that is going to earn me a slap on the wrist.

Really hard for a natural red head to do.

Frankly, when I see one of my bird galloping around with a mouse clamped firmly in it's beak my first thought is YAY! Extra Protein!

Chickens will be chickens, afterall. Which is why mine like to walk past their water container wth sparkling fresh water in it and opt to drink out of a mud puddle instead.

I introduced my first two vaccinated birds into my flock this spring. Two little BBR pullets that I bought as fledglings at Orschelns to keep a lone chick company. The chick later died at 9 weeks of Marek's but the two little BBRs are so far so good. They are both laying and since I'm in this as a hobby, quality is not a high concern of mine. Survival is high on the list though so I am watching these two little ladies closely to see how they fare with my exposed, infected, carrier flock.

I'm hoping that since I bought them as fledglings and they had a chance to build up an immunity after vaccination by the hatchery that supplied the birds, they may have a chance. My big fear is NOT knowing which virus they were vaccinated against compared with the one I have ravaging our property.

I agree. It would be a big help to know.

Call and ask the hatchery.. I would..but then, I can be a PITA when I want too.

 

[orrpeople]

Lo

I have not purchased birds in ages from a hatchery, but I thought they had a place to add vaccinations to your order. The cost to a large hatchery is less than a penny for Marek's vaccine. I think the last I recall they added 80 cents for this. Not a bad mark up.

I would ask before ordering, what vaccines they use and have available.

Logically thinking this through...if I'm a feed store and if I understand anything about Marek's, I'm going to order vaccinated chicks. I would seriously not want people coming back to me saying, "All the chicks I got from you are dead." Perhaps a survey is in order to verify the hypothesis...
btw - I love this thread (hate the disease) - it's kind of like the mythbusters of BYC.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Part of what we fight is everyone's desire to be "organic" and most people have no idea what it really is.

Vaccination does not affect the organic part. We are just introducing a weakened smaller does to build the natural immunity all birds (especially free range) have.

I have learned to kind of hold my tongue here (really @casportpony I have) It is the same with the people that like to free range their birds and feed them only Gluton free organic vegetarian feed.

I wonder if those people know what their little birdy is doing when chasing the grasshopper or mouse?.... My guess if the birdy gave up being a vegetarian...... Of course, mentioning that has caused fights...so I don't...

I'm a little confounded by your negative tone toward those who prefer to eat and raise everything organic. You seem angry and bitter, and some of this feels as if it's directed at me. Can you please try to be less condescending in your tone? You can educate people without announcing that you need to "hold your tongue."

Truly, it is rather insulting and unproductive.

 

[orrpeople]

I'm a little confounded by your negative tone toward those who prefer to eat and raise everything organic. You seem angry and bitter, and some of this feels as if it's directed at me. Can you please try to be less condescending in your tone? You can educate people without announcing that you need to "hold your tongue."

Truly, it is rather insulting and unproductive.

Okay, okay. This whole thread is full of folks who are super frustrated with a very unforgiving disease. I don't think we can take anything personally at this point. We have a whole mess of different opinions and backgrounds and really need to just glean any good we can from each other. I know there's a thousand folks who might disagree with my choices regarding the way I raise my flock - that's what a community is. Try not to be offended by the things any of us says, I'm pretty sure none of it is personal.

 

[Sunshine Flock]

We are new to raising chickens. Mareks was a big concern, and the lack of information on what exactly this meant for my little flock was concerning.

My intention was to find a private breeder for Welsummers and order my chicks. Most feed stores don't carry this breed, and the one I found that did has a disgusting setup for them. I was hoping to greatly reduce the possibility of Mareks and other health concerns by avoiding a feed store, but alas it was easier for us to buy locally, and so I brought home seven fluff balls on the day they arrived at the store from Privett.

Is there any logic in this, though? From what I'm learning in this discussion, they're all equally predisposed to Mereks, regardless of where they were hatched. Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Okay, okay. This whole thread is full of folks who are super frustrated with a very unforgiving disease. I don't think we can take anything personally at this point. We have a whole mess of different opinions and backgrounds and really need to just glean any good we can from each other. I know there's a thousand folks who might disagree with my choices regarding the way I raise my flock - that's what a community is. Try not to be offended by the things any of us says, I'm pretty sure none of it is personal.

People alienate and insult others when they choose to word things in a way that comes across as intentionally condescending. The wording of the post I was referencing does just that.

So instead of advising folks that we shouldn't take things personally, how about we be more considerate in how we phrase our comments.

 

[orrpeople]

People alienate and insult others when they choose to word things in a way that comes across as intentionally condescending. The wording of the post I was referencing does just that.

So instead of advising folks that we shouldn't take things personally, how about we be more considerate in how we phrase our comments.

The only thing we can control is how we react. I cannot control how others communicate - I also can't read their minds to know their intentions. I get what information I can and move on. Life's too short.

 

[duluthralphie]

I'm a little confounded by your negative tone toward those who prefer to eat and raise everything organic. You seem angry and bitter, and some of this feels as if it's directed at me. Can you please try to be less condescending in your tone? You can educate people without announcing that you need to "hold your tongue."

Truly, it is rather insulting and unproductive.

I think you are trying to be insulted more than actually seeing an insult. Was it the because I put the word "organic" in parentheses. I did it to set the word "organic" away from the rest of the sentences, nothing more.

If it was my sentence "most people have no idea what it really is. Then I stand by it. If you have bees pollinating your garden you have no idea where those bees come from, they travel upwards of 5 miles. Is there anyone within 5 miles of you that uses a chemical pesticide? If so your crop is not longer Organic.

What was raised on the property before you had it? Do chemicals drift in from other places? There is a whole host of what goes into organic. You may do everything properly but there is no guarantee a drop of chemical did not come into your crop on a tweety bird.

I try to raise my birds and garden chemical free. I realize there will be some chemicals that come in contact with my crops and birds. Organic is actually a sales technique that some excellent marketer got the feds to buy and "adopt" a standard for what it is. To me a chemical free product is just as good. BTW a vaccine does not affect the official determination of "organic". Many people think otherwise.

But to each his own. NOW if you mean the tongue and cheek jab at people raising chickens as "vegetarians", I do find that funny. They are little omnivores, they do not understand the concept of not eating meat. They will find meat whether it is a fly, a spider or a mouse. I just pray I don't hit my head, start bleeding and fall down ased out in my yard. I know my feathered friends will have eaten my face and a few appendages before I awaken.

I am sorry you found cause to be offended, but that is really on you and not me. For some reason many people feel they have the right to not be offended by my opinions. I do not feel offended by your opinions, and you should be be offended by mine.

Have a great day and good luck in the battle with Mareks. As you can see it is an uphill battle with a few hard choices for us each to make.

Enjoy your day!