- May 9, 2016
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Hi everyone,
I’m raising chickens (silkies) for the first time. Recently, I bought two 4 day old chicks from a great place that raises chickens for backyard flocks and the like. I also had four mail-ordered eggs hatch in my incubator about a week after that. I put them all in a big plastic container with a divider in the middle to separate the older two from the younger ones.
I wasn’t aware of the dangers of Marek’s or even that vaccinating chicks is recommended, and I’m only just learning how hugely contagious and deadly it is. The farm I bought the chicks from vaccinates their chicks, but obviously I didn’t vaccinate my hatched ones. I know all of the chicks came in contact with each other in some form or another. Is it highly likely my hatched chicks will get Marek’s? Should I expect the worst, and is it too late to vaccinate them? If not, can I vaccinate them myself since I live an hour and a half from a vet who vaccinated chickens? Is it fairly easy and would it be worth it at this point?
Thanks so much for any advice. I’m pretty stressed about the situation.
Thank you,
Lauren
I’m raising chickens (silkies) for the first time. Recently, I bought two 4 day old chicks from a great place that raises chickens for backyard flocks and the like. I also had four mail-ordered eggs hatch in my incubator about a week after that. I put them all in a big plastic container with a divider in the middle to separate the older two from the younger ones.
I wasn’t aware of the dangers of Marek’s or even that vaccinating chicks is recommended, and I’m only just learning how hugely contagious and deadly it is. The farm I bought the chicks from vaccinates their chicks, but obviously I didn’t vaccinate my hatched ones. I know all of the chicks came in contact with each other in some form or another. Is it highly likely my hatched chicks will get Marek’s? Should I expect the worst, and is it too late to vaccinate them? If not, can I vaccinate them myself since I live an hour and a half from a vet who vaccinated chickens? Is it fairly easy and would it be worth it at this point?
Thanks so much for any advice. I’m pretty stressed about the situation.
Thank you,
Lauren