Marek's vaccine... really necessary?

[Truevalentine]

I have chicks hatching today. I have seen people mention vaccinating for Marek's, but didn't think to ask about this at the feedstore when I bought their crumble. I have a small healthy backyard flock of 4 that these chicks will have minimal if any exposure to before being rehomed with friends for whom these will be their first chickens... do I really need to go out and get a vaccine for them?

 

[mudchicken]

if im not mistaken the shot is injected right into the egg around day 18. from what ive seen it would be way over my head, possibly over the rest of ours as well. as far as it being neccessary or not, i couldnt tell you

 

[galanie]

I've seen this question asked before and they always say no, you don't have to vaccinate them. I've forgotten the reason but no is always the answer.

 

[Arielle]

Respectfully, many do vaccinate for merecks. The vaccine is available for those that choose to use it. It seems to be a disease that pretty much wipes out a flock if they are unfortunate enough to get it. If you do a search can find out how to give the vac to the chick after hatching. GL

 

[speckledhen]

Mareks vaccination does not prevent infection, only the associated tumors of the disease, which many don't know. Most small flocks probably have no need to vaccinate for it, not unless you are bringing in birds from sources other than hatcheries. Of course, you can do so if it makes you feel better. I've never vaccinated for anything here.

From an article on Mareks:

Vaccination is the only known method to prevent the development of tumors when chickens are infected with the virus. However, administration of vaccines does not prevent transmission of the virus; i.e., the vaccine is non-sterilizing.[1] However, it does reduce the amount of virus shed in the dander and hence reduce horizontal spread of the disease. Marek's Disease does not spread vertically.​