Merek's Vaccination?

[ClareScifi]

So sorry, Rosegal. What breed of chicks were the ones that succumbed?

 

[shadow rabbit10]

I just reread your post. I think that most hatcheries use injection machines and they are set to deliver the correct dosage at a certain depth on the back of the neck. Since bantams are so much smaller, if the machine wasn't set for them, it could inject into the spinal column paralyzing the chick. I vaccinate in the leg for that reason. I'm not sure your vet would have the vaccine available. It only comes in 1000 doses and once reconstituted has to be used within an hour. Can you switch to getting your chicks from a hatchery that does vaccinate bantams?

MPC is the only hatchery that sexes bantams, so I can't order form another. Plus, their minimum quantities are also large. Otherwise, I'd have to order standard fowl.

 

[leadwolf1]

I understand that. That's why I will probably never have bantams again Unless, I decide to hatch my own and vaccinate. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Are they that vulnerable to it? I really wanted them because I don't have room for many standards.

 

[leadwolf1]

In my experience, yes, they are vulnerable. But the biggest reason is, I already have 21 roos and because of Marek's, I can't give them away and I can't bring myself to kill them I have raised them from chicks and I just can't kill them just because they are boys So, unless I can get sexed chicks, I can't risk getting more roos...therefore, since mpc is the only hatchery that sexes, and they won't vaccinate, I am stuck not getting any more bantams And, those are my favorite I've lost way too many silkies, d'uccles and oegb's to risk getting unvaccinated chicks...

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Hmmm. Well I don't think there were ever chickens on my property and there are very few in my town. Do you think it is worth it to get bantams? We keep our pet cages very clean at my house. I own 6 rabbits. I would love to get bantams, but is the risk too high?

 

[leadwolf1]

The risk is no higher than with any others. I certainly don't want to discourage you. My kids and I LOVE our bantams...and all our other chickens. We live in a farming community and there are chickens 1/2 mile from us but no closer. I don't know where the disease came from, I'm still trying my hardest to track it. Get your babies..but, do not buy chicks from anywhere but a hatchery or hatch them yourself. That way, you will know that the birds are 'safe'.

It is well worth it. I just feel that it is my responsibility to try and get word out that Marek's is a bigger problem then people want to believe. Had I known, I would never have gotten chicks that weren't vaccinated. Living with this disease is a nightmare. I can't sell chicks, my kids can't show in 4H as planned. Mostly, we just love them and hold our breath hoping that the dying is over. But, we know that it isn't....3 more are showing symptoms. I bleach and oxine everything, all the time. I completely clean out coops/brooders/feeders/waterers with bleach every two weeks for the coops and 3 times per week for waterers. I spray coops with oxine between cleanings...my birds are spotless as are there living quarters..if cleanliness were a factor, my chickens would never have to worry..but, it isn't. I feed them the best of everything that I can...fresh fruit/vegies daily...probiotics, vitamins, mixed grains, fresh red/green lettuce. Marek's doesn't care....

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Thats horrible. I want to order from MPC, but I just don't know where I'd get the vaccination.

 

[leadwolf1]

You can order the vaccine from a couple different places..jeffers vet supply and twin city vet supply. You can get needles and syringes from tsc. Have the vaccine before you get your chicks. As soon as they arrive, reconstitute and vaccinate.

 

[shadow rabbit10]

Didn't you say the vaccine only comes in large quantities though?