In Coop Brooder

[hgottman2]

We have chicks arriving in a few weeks, and I am using this week yo build a brooder setup in the coop. I have a great design setup that will be able to stay clean and ensure they are separated from my current flock.

My question is if there is any reason I should avoid having them in the coop from day 1? I have another brooder setup I can use in the house, but I would like to avoid that if possible. This is only my second time with chicks, so any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I can find zero reasons to choose house over coop short of insanely high or low temps that you can't control. I think alot of people who start out with chicks in the house, gain confidence to start in the coop. This is an excellent read. ENJOY and Congrats! https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...our-chicks-outdoors.71995/#ams-comment-413224

 

[SandyRiverChick]

This is my in coop brooder room. When they're brand new I have wire screens on the platform so they don't fall off. Then at a few weeks they learn how to do a ladder and roost bar.

 

[Penpal]

I like to start them in the house so that I can keep an eye on them. I have ten inside right now. They will be going outside when they don't need heat as I have neither broody hen nor electric outlet outside.

If you feel confident having your chicks outside, give it a go.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My question is if there is any reason I should avoid having them in the coop from day 1?

If they are coming from an unknown, untested source.. or if they're being vaccinated against Marek's as it needs time to set up before possible exposure.

Otherwise it's a really good choice if you have everything needed out there!

 

[hgottman2]

If they are coming from an unknown, untested source.. or if they're being vaccinated against Marek's as it needs time to set up before possible exposure.

Otherwise it's a really good choice if you have everything needed out there!

They are being vaccinated, so approximately how long does that take to set in? My current flock of 7 are also vaccinated.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

They are being vaccinated, so approximately how long does that take to set in? My current flock of 7 are also vaccinated.

When effective, the Marek's vaccine just hides the symptoms and does not actually prevent the disease.. The vaccine in and of itself does NOT actively shed live virus or spread it.. but again... MAY hide it if it is present.

According to my current understanding.. it takes at least 2 weeks to set up.

Possible gross picture warning for all included links..

The following link has very detailed information including a section on the vaccines.. I dug around until finding it states 3 weeks..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Other (valid) resources indicate anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks depending on vaccine type..

This one from Penn state says 4-7 days..

https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

This link from Mississippi state says 2 weeks..

http://extension.msstate.edu/public... the only method,up immunity from the vaccine.

This one from Freedom Ranger Hatchery.. states at least one week..

https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.c...disease-and-how-to-not-lose-40-of-your-flock/

This link has a graph for efficacy building, though I'm unable to verify accuracy.. It illustrates just how key proper handling and administration of the vaccine itself is in the role of the efficacy also.

• Day 1 - 30%
  
  
• Day 7-14 - 70-85%
  
  
• Day 21-28 - 90-95%

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/mareks-disease-vaccine-handling


Maybe find out which vaccine your hatchery or breeder/hatcher is using and see what the vaccine manufacturers or hatcheries recommendations are for "quarantine"..

Please don't let all this discussion and links cause undue fear mongering..

Happy peeping adventures!

 

[hgottman2]

When effective, the Marek's vaccine just hides the symptoms and does not actually prevent the disease.. The vaccine in and of itself does NOT actively shed live virus or spread it.. but again... MAY hide it if it is present.

According to my current understanding.. it takes at least 2 weeks to set up.

Possible gross picture warning for all included links..

The following link has very detailed information including a section on the vaccines.. I dug around until finding it states 3 weeks..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Other (valid) resources indicate anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks depending on vaccine type..

This one from Penn state says 4-7 days..

https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

This link from Mississippi state says 2 weeks..

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/marek’s-disease-backyard-chickens#:~:text=Vaccination is the only method,up immunity from the vaccine.

This one from Freedom Ranger Hatchery.. states at least one week..

https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.c...disease-and-how-to-not-lose-40-of-your-flock/

This link has a graph for efficacy building, though I'm unable to verify accuracy.. It illustrates just how key proper handling and administration of the vaccine itself is in the role of the efficacy also.

• Day 1 - 30%
  
  
• Day 7-14 - 70-85%
  
  
• Day 21-28 - 90-95%

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/mareks-disease-vaccine-handling


Maybe find out which vaccine your hatchery or breeder/hatcher is using and see what the vaccine manufacturers or hatcheries recommendations are for "quarantine"..

Please don't let all this discussion and links cause undue fear mongering..

Happy peeping adventures!

You are incredible! I truly appreciate the resources and will spend my evening doing research. Thank you so much!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Great catch on the vaccination question. I don't vaccinate mine so mine go straight into the coop from the incubator or post office.

If your chicks are vaccinated for Coccidiosis you have the same quarantine issue. It takes time for the vaccine to work.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

When effective, the Marek's vaccine just hides the symptoms and does not actually prevent the disease.. The vaccine in and of itself does NOT actively shed live virus or spread it.. but again... MAY hide it if it is present.

According to my current understanding.. it takes at least 2 weeks to set up.

Possible gross picture warning for all included links..

The following link has very detailed information including a section on the vaccines.. I dug around until finding it states 3 weeks..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Other (valid) resources indicate anywhere from 4 days to 4 weeks depending on vaccine type..

This one from Penn state says 4-7 days..

https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens

This link from Mississippi state says 2 weeks..

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/marek’s-disease-backyard-chickens#:~:text=Vaccination is the only method,up immunity from the vaccine.

This one from Freedom Ranger Hatchery.. states at least one week..

https://www.freedomrangerhatchery.c...disease-and-how-to-not-lose-40-of-your-flock/

This link has a graph for efficacy building, though I'm unable to verify accuracy.. It illustrates just how key proper handling and administration of the vaccine itself is in the role of the efficacy also.

• Day 1 - 30%
  
  
• Day 7-14 - 70-85%
  
  
• Day 21-28 - 90-95%

https://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/mareks-disease-vaccine-handling


Maybe find out which vaccine your hatchery or breeder/hatcher is using and see what the vaccine manufacturers or hatcheries recommendations are for "quarantine"..

Please don't let all this discussion and links cause undue fear mongering..

Happy peeping adventures!

So in summary, you're saying DONT put days old, Merek's vaccinated chicks in a brooder in a coop where the older flock will get exposed.... Yes ?? Obviously asking about this scenario because it is precisely what I DO, do......