- Apr 27, 2014
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From what I understand because the Marek's vaccine is a live vaccine, whether vaccinated chickens currently live, or have lived on a property in recent years, unvaccinated chickens brought in have a good chance of succumbing to the disease. We bought this property a few months ago and the previous owners had kept a small flock (about 10 birds) of vaccinated chickens for years. If the live vaccine can spread the risk of the disease through the vaccinated chickens' dander, how much of a risk is it for me to start an unvaccinated flock of Ameraucanas this Spring? There was no chicken run and the coop was removed, but the free-range chickens spent their days under the trees taking sand baths, preening, and sleeping. Am I limited to buying only vaccinated chicks and eventually, in good conscience, not be able to sell their offspring to someone who wants to add chicks to their unvaccinated flock?