Mareks Vaccinations

[fluffybumfarm]

Hi, I live in Australia and would like to start raising my own chickens from eggs in small batches. I, of course, need to vaccinate for Mareks at 1 day old. The problem is that the vaccinations which come in 2,000 dose lots cannot be held long term. It can only be shipped in dry ice, not liquid nitrogen that they need to be kept in to keep the vaccinations intergrity over the long term.

I am wondering how people in Australia manage to buy and keep their Mareks vaccinations long term?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rebrascora]

I think you will probably find that the vast majority of back yard breeders do not vaccinate for Marek's, mostly for this reason but there is also some research to suggest that the vaccine may in fact be responsible for more aggressive strains of the virus developing because it does not prevent the birds from getting the disease, it just reduces the chance of them dying from it.

 

[fluffybumfarm]

I think you will probably find that the vast majority of back yard breeders do not vaccinate for Marek's, mostly for this reason but there is also some research to suggest that the vaccine may in fact be responsible for more aggressive strains of the virus developing because it does not prevent the birds from getting the disease, it just reduces the chance of them dying from it.

I wondered that, thanks so much for your reply!

 

[Leihamarie]

I am not in Australia but I vaccinate my chicks. I do a double vaccination (once from the hatchery and once on day 14 of life) I have a small, closed backyard flock and have read the research both pro and con. I wasn't willing to watch another one of my flocks die from Marek's (I wrote an article about my experience of Marek's on my blog). I bought the vaccine online and had it shipped via next-day delivery with ice-packs in an insulated cooler. It arrived cold and I kept it refrigerated until ready to use. The active vaccination and the diluent are separate, so it's once you mix the two that you have the time limit on use. Unfortunately, the smallest amount they make is the 2000 dose but my experience is that it took me close to an hour to do 5 chicks my first time because I was so intent on getting it right and they are so tiny! If you have any questions or need help let me know.

 

[fluffybumfarm]

I am not in Australia but I vaccinate my chicks. I do a double vaccination (once from the hatchery and once on day 14 of life) I have a small, closed backyard flock and have read the research both pro and con. I wasn't willing to watch another one of my flocks die from Marek's (I wrote an article about my experience of Marek's on my blog). I bought the vaccine online and had it shipped via next-day delivery with ice-packs in an insulated cooler. It arrived cold and I kept it refrigerated until ready to use. The active vaccination and the diluent are separate, so it's once you mix the two that you have the time limit on use. Unfortunately, the smallest amount they make is the 2000 dose but my experience is that it took me close to an hour to do 5 chicks my first time because I was so intent on getting it right and they are so tiny! If you have any questions or need help let me know.

Thanks Leihamarie

 

[ddchickee]

I am not in Australia but I vaccinate my chicks. I do a double vaccination (once from the hatchery and once on day 14 of life) I have a small, closed backyard flock and have read the research both pro and con. I wasn't willing to watch another one of my flocks die from Marek's (I wrote an article about my experience of Marek's on my blog). I bought the vaccine online and had it shipped via next-day delivery with ice-packs in an insulated cooler. It arrived cold and I kept it refrigerated until ready to use. The active vaccination and the diluent are separate, so it's once you mix the two that you have the time limit on use. Unfortunately, the smallest amount they make is the 2000 dose but my experience is that it took me close to an hour to do 5 chicks my first time because I was so intent on getting it right and they are so tiny! If you have any questions or need help let me know.

 

[ddchickee]

I plan to vaccinate as well, and the chicks I (think) I am buying from the feed store do not come vaccinated. I see the pros and cons as well, but I am not planning on breeding, there are no nearby chickens and I don't want my pets to die! Where/how do I get the vaccine, and are there any tutorials on how to administer the vaccine? I can give humans vaccines all day long but chicks are soo tiny.

 

[Nambroth]

It may be worthwhile to contact your local avian vet (if available) to see if they would consider storing and administering the vaccination for you. Some veterinary offices are better equipped to store vaccines that have specific requirements the way Marek's vaccine does. The downside, of course, is it would add to the cost. This is what I will do if I ever hatch my own chicks, as my avian vet has offered to do this for me after dealing with Marek's in my flock. The added expense would be worthwhile to me, but might not be to everyone.

 

[fluffybumfarm]

Thanks ddchickee and Nambroth!