Merek's and other vaccinations

[CAjerseychick]

A chicken that is vaccinated with the Marek's vaccine CANNOT shed the Marek's that infects chickens. It is the turkey form of Marek's and it is impossible to catch the chicken form from it.

The only way that a vaccinated chick can become a carrier of Marek's is if that chick is exposed to a chicken that has Marek's or, is a carrier of Marek's. If your flock doesn't have a problem with Marek's, it is very safe to mix vaccinated and unvaccinated chicks. The vaccine will not prevent the chick from getting Marek's, or becoming a carrier, it only prevents the formation of the tumors that are associated with the disease.

Thanks that does clarify it for me.... Marek's does sound awful though....

 

[leadwolf1]

You are welcome..I just wish I didn't have so much first hand knowledge

 

[Nonnie195]

I have a hen who is sitting on five eggs that are due to hatch at the end of the week. All of my birds have been vaccinated. What do I do about the chicks. I have no idea about how to vaccinate.

 

[Folly's place]

I have both vaccinated and unvaccinated (home raised) chickens. MurrayMcmurray vaccinated with a trivalent (three strain) vaccine, as I understand it. That is generally unavailable to buy in catalogs. I consider my broody raise unvaccinated birds as a sentinel population here; EVERY bird that dies here is posted, so there's no doubt about the cause of an unexplained death. Twenty+ years of chicken keeping, and no Marek's disease. Biosecurity!!! Also no near neighbors with sick birds, no adults brought in, and no showing. It's a farm flock, for eggs, meat, and entertainment. Again, biosecurity!!! Some diseases are forever, not a good thing; better too careful than many regrets. Mary

 

[Nonnie195]

Biosecurity is an awesome thing. While I only wear one of two pair of shoes into the coop or run, sometimes I need my sweet husband to do something for me. He doesn't have extra shoes to wear only in the coop/run. When it was warm, he would go barefooted for me, but I don't think that is an option now with the highs in the 30's. I decided, since it is so cold, to purchase a hanging heat lamp for the "maternity ward." Well, guess who will have to hang it up. I am not sure what I will have him wear. Suggestions?

 

[poltroon]

Nonnie, you should be able to get simple rubber boots at your feed/farm store for around $20.

 

[Nonnie195]

That is so simple. Sometimes I feel like such a dunce.

 

[poltroon]

That is so simple. Sometimes I feel like such a dunce.

That's what's great about forums... finding an easy solution to a previously insurmountable problem.

Seriously, I love mine. They get me through mud and I take them off right at the door.

While I'm at it, I'll plug the Waterhog doormats from LL Bean. Those things are amazing, look good, and hose right off. My mud boots live on it when they're not on my feet.

 

[lazy gardener]

My understanding is that there are 6 strains of Mareks disease (a herpes virus) that affect chickens. So, even with a trivalent vaccine, it's still hit or miss. Mareks is most likely to show up, if it does at all, in a stressed flock or bird with suppressed immunity. (think crowded poultry house here) Check out Ideal Hatchery's website: "Ideal Poultry does not recommend (vaccination) for small flocks." (the previous info gleaned from "the small-scale poultry flock by Harvey Ussery) If you have a wild turkey population, they are supposed to afford some amount of immunity to your flock. I would not choose to vaccinate my flock. I a bird in my keep did come down with Marek's, I'd cull. Of course if you choose to go the NPIP cert route, your decision process might be driven by what ever requirements they have.

Closed flock + biosecurity + no over crowding + good feed = happy, healthy, chickens.

 

[MamaKitty913]

Also there is a link between the mealworm larvae and transmission of Merek's. "Black beatles" they are carrier's that infect