Mareks Vaccine

[Nambroth]

Shipping is high because it must be kept cold. It has to be sent overnight (or two-day if the weather is cold out). Plan to use it right away, so coordinate shipping so that you get it as close to the day the chicks hatch as possible. Once it's mixed, it is good for a very short amount of time (read the instructions), something like 30 minutes or less.

 

[christine9]

Thanks. Just wanted to make sure there was a good reason to pay so much shipping. Makes sense

 

[christine9]

Ok, one more question. Do you really mix the whole vaccine and dilution solution? Is there any other way? I only have to vaccinate twenty or so chicks. Do I really throw it out after one day?

 

[Nambroth]

Ok, one more question. Do you really mix the whole vaccine and dilution solution? Is there any other way? I only have to vaccinate twenty or so chicks. Do I really throw it out after one day?

Yes, sadly. Once you mix it, you must administer it within the time allotted (it's not much time either, I think an hour or less??) or you may as well not vaccinate.

Some people have suggested that the vaccine can be broken up into two before it is mixed, but honestly the idea of not doing it right scares me. It sure would be depressing to try, and not do it right, then administer a weak or bad vaccine and have problems down the line. To me, it's not worth any of the money saving it might incur. The choice, however, is yours. If you want to try, you can search the forum. I remember reading about it here sometime last year.

 

[christine9]

I agree. It's not worth messing it up. Thanks for your help.

 

[FriskyFaverolle]

The USDA Avian Disease and Oncology in E.Lansing works with Merek's exclusively if there are more questions.

 

[Nambroth]

The USDA Avian Disease and Oncology in E.Lansing works with Merek's exclusively if there are more questions.

That's good to know. I will have to look them up! Thank you.

 

[naturalwildlife]

I bought two chicks at one month old that I could not vaccinate due to their age (must be done the first day), so I am raising them inside the house for four months because I have lost hens in the coop due to Marek's. The three hens in the coop now were exposed, but did not die and are around 1 1/2 years old. They are on a dirt/pebble floor, though I spray with Vitaoxide a little (a hospital disinfectant) and wash it down about once a week.

Do I need to also rake up the feathers? And how soon can I let them into the yard? Or, into the coop. My thought was another part of the urban yard at two months for short outings, then into an adjacent (touching) coop at 4 months, then join the birds at 6 months (or less).

 

[Rancher3535]

Mareks Vaccine - last year one of the other breeders in the area and I vaccinated our chicks. He has moved out of state so it is up to me to do it on my own. Basically he purchased it, vaccinated the chicks, for me and I just had to pay him so much per chick. I have not a clue where he got it, how it was stored, and how to give the shot. I have heard so many different things about it so can someone help me out and clear up some things for me?

1. I know it is to be used as day old chicks but if you are only hatching out 50-75 or so a week could you not vaccinate every other week? I have been told yes and also been told no

2. You give them 2cc in the neck is where I saw him do it once. Does the 2cc vary depending on what mareks vaccine you get?

2. I just talked to one of the distributors and he said you had to keep it in a tank until you use it. I have a seaman tank for my cattle so would that work or can you put it in the freezer?

Thanks!

 

[Nambroth]

Mareks Vaccine - last year one of the other breeders in the area and I vaccinated our chicks. He has moved out of state so it is up to me to do it on my own. Basically he purchased it, vaccinated the chicks, for me and I just had to pay him so much per chick. I have not a clue where he got it, how it was stored, and how to give the shot. I have heard so many different things about it so can someone help me out and clear up some things for me?

1. I know it is to be used as day old chicks but if you are only hatching out 50-75 or so a week could you not vaccinate every other week? I have been told yes and also been told no

2. You give them 2cc in the neck is where I saw him do it once. Does the 2cc vary depending on what mareks vaccine you get?

2. I just talked to one of the distributors and he said you had to keep it in a tank until you use it. I have a seaman tank for my cattle so would that work or can you put it in the freezer?

Thanks!

1) There might be some merit to vaccinating, unexposed older birds but in terms of what you are asking: in order for them to be considered properly vaccinated, it must be administered within 36 hours of hatching.

2) Refer to manufacturer's directions. When you order, specify that you need to know the exact mixing and dosage recommendations.

3) A tank? If he was referring to a liquid nitrogen tank, then that is how the vaccine must be stored. Sometimes dry ice is cold enough too, but you must ask. If the distributor of the vaccine you were looking at said it had to be kept in a tank, then no, a home freezer unit is not cold enough. Storing the vaccine at cold enough temperatures are one of the major hurdles to home users of some vaccines.

It depends on the vaccine but here is some info: http://www.cobb-vantress.com/produc...cination-procedure-guide/hatchery-vaccination