Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[daniellea2912]

Question- the chicks I want to put under my broody are going to be Mareks vaccinated but I am unsure if my hen was vaccinated as a chick as I got her as a started pullet. Is this a problem? Should I vaccinate her?

 

[Scrambles55]

Question- the chicks I want to put under my broody are going to be Mareks vaccinated but I am unsure if my hen was vaccinated as a chick as I got her as a started pullet. Is this a problem? Should I vaccinate her?

 

[Johnn]

ETA.... I have a chick!!! YIPPEE!!

Congrats!

 

[Johnn]

One week to go...

 

[Scrambles55]

One week to go...

How many eggs did you say that she has??

 

[Johnn]

How many eggs did you say that she has??

Just 3. I don't want a lot of chicks, I hate rehoming! There will be more broodies later on too and she will probably sit again!

 

[Sydney Acres]

One week to go...

That is quite a broody stare!!!!

 

[Sydney Acres]

Question- the chicks I want to put under my broody are going to be Mareks vaccinated but I am unsure if my hen was vaccinated as a chick as I got her as a started pullet. Is this a problem? Should I vaccinate her?

You need to contact the vaccine manufacturer or distributor regarding recommendations. Or alternatively, some vet schools and county extension offices have information about Mareks vaccines. Do not rely on the high school kid working at the feed store. This is very important. I may have this information wrong, as it's been more than 15 years since I looked into it and things change, but I seem to recall that the vaccine is a modified live vaccine. I also seem to recall that vaccinated chicks are not supposed to mix with unvaccinated adults, as it can make the unvaccinated adults sick (I don't recall enough of the details -- it might just be a mild illness, or it might be something more serious). I also seem to remember that the vaccine is only for very young chicks, and should not be given to older chicks or adults. The general conclusion (again, from 15 years ago, so the vaccine may have totally changed or my memory may be inaccurate) was that you needed to decide if you wanted a vaccinated flock or an unvaccinated flock, and stick with one or the other. Now that I put that in writing, that seems impossible from a practical point of view. People rehome birds all the time, and vaccine information isn't always passed on. People buy chicks from feed stores and don't ask about vaccine status. Realistically there are millions of flocks that must be out there where some of the birds are vaccinated and some aren't, so while there may be some risk it can't be universal. But anyway, bottom line, research it from reputable sources, and don't vaccinate your older chicks or adults until it is recommended by someone that you know is giving you the right information. (Then when you get a reliable answer, please come back and tell us.)

 

[K Epp]

Following. I have a broody goose sitting on 6 duck & 5 turkey eggs.

 

[TeaChick]

My incubator should arrive on Monday. I got a tracking number that says so, LOL, so it MUST be true, right?

Meanwhile our broody girl is still setting tight on her eleven eggs. She eats from my hand still, after she shakes out of her broody haze. And she's eating her fermented feed when I put it under her nose. She's halfway through her job. And, so far, she's doing an EXCELLENT job! I think I forgot to report that we candled on Tuesday night. Day 8 of incubation, and eleven out of eleven looked promising.

Yay!!! (about the incubator and your broody)

and

OMG!!! I am shaking... I just put my ear up against the nest box and I heard a chick chirping!! Thank you... Thank you!!!

My silkie hen has one chick that hatched early

Awwww!!!!