hogster 160 posted: Mereks, does anyone vaccinate for it? I'm asking because when I got my chicks from Meyers, I didn't know what it was. As I wanted a bird who had little meds from the get go, I only fed med feed for the first 20 lbs of feed. Little did I know that Mereks is deadly. I wish now that I had gotten them vaccinated. I was basically told since there have never been chickens on my property, and I was getting so few, Mereks would be no problem. I am fearful of it after all my reading up on it. How is everyone going to all the meet and swaps and not bring something like that home with them on their clothes or shoes? Sometimes being new to things really sucks, the "what ifs" get a hold and don't let go. I would love to get more chicks, but from reading I should stick with a hatchery. Do I get new chicks vaccinated for Mereks or not? So many dang questions.
hogster~ As a fairly new chicken owner, I can relate to feeling overwhelmed thinking of all the diseases my hens could get and feeling intimidated about all the hatching and buying and trading that many of our Thread members enjoy. And maybe because we are both new to chickens, I would also worry about contamination from going to a swap meet. Additionally, as bradselig mentioned, I don't like the thought of puppy mill types of people selling any type of animal. However, I've never been to a swap meet, but they sound like any organization-- there are both good and bad people involved. Little Ameraucana Mom only buys birds from certain reputable vendors. me me me mentioned the importance of quarantining new birds.
As far as Marek's Disease, maybe other more experience members can comment. When I asked my vet if my chickens needed vaccines, he didn't recommend it since I just have five hens and live in a subdivision.
I totally agree with you, too, that I have to have my "daily dose" of chicken therapy-- and I know that all of our crazy chicken loving members agree. (Daily doses lead to weekly support group meetings! haha)
