Mareks vaccine at home

[Creekchics]

Hi two questions about vaccination for Mareks: I only have insulin syringes, According to conversion of units .2 ml is equal to 20 units, it seems like a lot so wondering if anyone with more experience can help.

Also my shipment is delayed so will be administering at one week old rather than one day. They have been quarantined in my bathroom so very slim chance of exposure, parent flock is healthy and I change my clothes and shoes after I go feed them far from house. From what I read it is the natural exposure that would make the vaccine ineffective so that is my logic.
Has anyone vaccinated late and still lost birds to Mareks? We have never had it here, live at least a mile from other chicken keepers.
Photo of type of syringe and some of the peeps! They are obviously petting zoo bound

 

[2ndTink]

If the syringes are 100 units / 1 ml, then yes, 20 units, if it is a different # of units / 1 mL then you will need to convert.

Ideally the chicks need to be vaccinated within the first 24 hours of hatching. From what I've read vaccinating them later doesn't hurt them, but it might not really help either.

The vaccine is never 100% effective anyway, and it's a leaky vaccine so even chicks that were properly vaccinated can still be infected with Mareks, some will show symptoms and some will not.

Congrats on the chicks, it sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep them healthy!

 

[Creekchics]

If the syringes are 100 units / 1 ml, then yes, 20 units, if it is a different # of units / 1 mL then you will need to convert.

Ideally the chicks need to be vaccinated within the first 24 hours of hatching. From what I've read vaccinating them later doesn't hurt them, but it might not really help either.

The vaccine is never 100% effective anyway, and it's a leaky vaccine so even chicks that were properly vaccinated can still be infected with Mareks, some with show symptoms and some will not.

Congrats on the chicks, it sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep them healthy!

Yes they are u100 syringes I use for my diabetic cat, I think since I am used to giving him so little it seemed like a lot. I know it may not be effective but if it won't hurt I'd rather try. I don't know if the parents are vaccinated or not, hopefully it will never matter but the only reason we had fertile eggs is a random rooster joined the neighbors flock so you never know! Thanks for your help!!

 

[2ndTink]

Yes they are u100 syringes I use for my diabetic cat, I think since I am used to giving him so little it seemed like a lot. I know it may not be effective but if it won't hurt I'd rather try. I don't know if the parents are vaccinated or not, hopefully it will never matter but the only reason we had fertile eggs is a random rooster joined the neighbors flock so you never know! Thanks for your help!!

Then, yep! 20 units. It definitely won't hurt, I have done them at 1 to 2 weeks myself so no judgement here

You're welcome, best of luck with the vaccinating! It is honestly way easier on a week old chick than a fresh hatched chick on the size side of things.

Lol, a roving rooster, that's pretty funny.