Quick questions on vaccination for fowl pox

[kristinkarol]

Can anyone tell me if the vaccine is a one time thing or how often you are supposed to vaccinate. I live in central Fl and what I have been told is that fowl pox comes from mosquitos and we are completely over run with them here.
I vacinated a hen before for my sister in law so I know how it's done, I just can't find anything regarding how long it is good for and what age if any it should be given.

Thanks!!!!

Kristin

 

[dawg53]

Here are some references for fowl pox vaccines.
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/images/label/16779.htm
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/images/label/16780.htm
Hope this helps.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

This is something that you as a chickeneer have to decide for your flock, to vaccinate or not for various chicken diseases. I live in swampy Southeast Florida and do not vaccinate my birds for fowl pox. It only affects the young chickens because the older birds have already been exposed and have built their own immunity to it. The affected ones look pitiful for a while, but usually get over it all by themselves with little to no assistance from me. A long-time chickeeneer in my town says to put black liquid shoe polish on the lesions, which I've also done sometimes.

The dry form usually doesn't harm the birds and once they've had it they don't get it again. BUT if I had show birds I would vaccinate, I do have a little bantam rooster who lost a few points off his comb because he got fowl pox lesions there. My birds aren't shown, so it doesn't matter as much to me. And Lester doesn't seem to miss those points, his wives still think he's a handsome little hunk.

There is also a wet form to the pox, don't know if it's the same virus or if the vaccine protects against this. This form affects the mouth & nostrils and can be fatal. I've only seen it happen during one year, and did lose a few growing chicks to it.

The vaccine is easily obtained & seems easy to administer. There's a double needle you dip in the vaccine and poke through the web of the wing. I don't think you can store the vaccine once it's been mixed. If I had a larger chicken budget I might consider vaccinating for fowl pox. But so far it hasn't done much harm to my flock.

My $.02, the decision is up to YOU. And of course,

 

[kristinkarol]

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Thanks for your input, I was considering doing it because what I saw with my sister-in-laws hen. She was an older hen and contracted some how. Not to mention it looks horrible and pitiful. I just thought it would be better to vaccinate, I can get the vaccine he for about $8.00 a vial and you are right once you open he bottle it has no shelf life. One vial I believe is enough to take care of all my hens (I have 7) But 4 have started laying and I also saw something on one web site that said to give "prior to production" it's so hard to figure out becuase everywhere I go gives another answer as to when and if.

 

[kristinkarol]

Quote:
Thanks! I will check it out right away.

 

[kristinkarol]

Quote:
Do you know anything about either of these vaccines? The Poxine is a no I would say because it does state to give 1 month before coming into production. The Poulvac does not mention anything about that is it safe to give to laying hens? If you know the answer great if not I will keep researching.

Kristin

 

[Davidisinaband]

I've heard it both ways actually. Somewhere said it was like chicken pox in humans and was a one time only thing, and the more recent site I read that there was no long term immunity. We really need to sit down and make up a SOP (standard operating protocol) manual. A chicken bible if you will. "Thou shalt not eat of eggs for 14 days after medicating!" and all that.