Previous fowl pox and new chicks

[hen1415]

Hi all,
We had fowl pox go through our flock last summer. We're getting new chicks this spring. Do we need to vaccinate the new girls? I cleaned the coop/run after the infection resolved itself last summer and I'll be doing another deep clean prior to adding the pullets.
Thank you for any info.

 

[hen1415]

Just bumping this for visibility.

 

[dawg53]

The main vector for fowl pox are mosquitos. If you're expecting alot of rain, then mosquitos, it might be a good idea to get your chicks vaccinated for fowl pox.

 

[hen1415]

Thank you for your response @dawg53. I appreciate it.

 

[FrostRanger]

Agreed, I had a run in with fowl pox in fall of 23 and I got my chicks the next year vaccinated and they've been fine. In any case the vaccine is cheap (valley vet carries it) so I would strongly consider it if the disease is an issue where you are

 

[hen1415]

Thank you, FrostRanger! Quick question, at what age do you vax the chicks and when can they mingle with the bigs after vaccination?

 

[FrostRanger]

Thank you, FrostRanger! Quick question, at what age do you vax the chicks and when can they mingle with the bigs after vaccination?

Iirc the directions on the vial says 8 weeks. There's really not much reason to delay integration because of the vaccine. You've already cleaned the area and mosquitoes shouldn't be too bad rn. I personally didn't do anything special in regards to integration because of the vaccine

 

[Eggcessive]

@hen1415 what state are you in? How bad was the fowl pox outbreak? Do you live in the south or a tropical region with a lot of mosquitoes?
Fowl pox scabs can remain infectious in the soil for a few months, but it should be all gone by spring. Pox vaccine is given in the wing with a tool included in the vaccine. Then you check in a week or so for a “take.” The vaccine is 1000 dose vial with a diluent.
, and should be used within an hour. It must be shipped overnight and on ice in a cooler which can add to costs. It is given around 8 weeks of age, but 4 weeks before they lay eggs. Here is some reading, and I think there is a video online of how to give it:
https://valleyvet.cvpservice.com/product/view/1506010

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a 4 minute video on how to give the pox vaccine:

 

[hen1415]

@hen1415 what state are you in? How bad was the fowl pox outbreak? Do you live in the south or a tropical region with a lot of mosquitoes?
Fowl pox scabs can remain infectious in the soil for a few months, but it should be all gone by spring. Pox vaccine is given in the wing with a tool included in the vaccine. Then you check in a week or so for a “take.” The vaccine is 1000 dose vial with a diluent.
, and should be used within an hour. It must be shipped overnight and on ice in a cooler which can add to costs. It is given around 8 weeks of age, but 4 weeks before they lay eggs. Here is some reading, and I think there is a video online of how to give it:
https://valleyvet.cvpservice.com/product/view/1506010

Hi Eggcessive!
I'm in MN the outbreak was mild, dry pox. It happened mid-August 2024. Since then we've lost 4/6 of our flock for reasons unrelated to the pox. We're getting new chicks at the end of March. I feel confident about the mechanics of giving the vax. I just wasn't sure if there was an isolation time for the new girls from my big girls between the vax date and checking for the take. We'll just keep them apart until after the take.

Thank you for your help!