First flock, all bantams. 1/2 my chicks can receive Marek's from hatchery "A", my other half is coming from hatchery "B" but they don't vaccinate for Marek's. Brand new coop, no prior chickens... should I go ahead and have group "A" vaccinated, and just pray for group B? Is Mareks really that bad? Thanks ahead of time!
There are many different strains of Mareks, even if you vaccinate for one, your birds still may get another. I wouldn't vaccinate at all.
CHeck old threads and you will find many accounts of the aweful ordeals dealing with the disease. Like most vaccines, they are formulated to cover several strains when that is the case. I prefer to have my birds vaccinated whenever possible. You can buy the vaccine and vaccinate the second group if you wish. Do a little sleuthing and you will find the thread detailing using this vaccine on your own birds at home. With more and more people acquiring poultry it will become easier to pass diseases around, in my opinion. THe cost of vaccinating is far less than feeding them.
One of the things to consider is how many chickens. Marecks can attack from a lot more places than dependable hatcheries. They even ask do you want to vaccinate but if you are buying under 25 birds I would say do not waste the time or money. Good luck enjoy your kids and the sire.
