Should i vaccinate my chickens

[Kathy Lee]

I have 4 5 day old chicks that weren't vaccinated. The breeder said if I introduce vaccinated chicks to these chicks they could become infected by the vaccinated chicks "shedding" viruses. What should I do? Should I get my new chicks coming in 4 weeks vaccinated?

 

[Lauravonsmurf]

Carefully read all of these and then decide what is best for your flock.

https://randyschickenblog.squarespace.com/home/2018/8/6/mareks-disease-six-things-you-should-know
A very good read to help you decide.

This here is an article about shedding in humans... I know it will probably upset someone but it explains how it has happened in our populations... https://immunizeusa.org/static/immunize/blog/2016/september/24/vaccine-shedding/index.html

An actual scientific study... on Marek Shedding https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23901761/

An University Article on Marek and shedding https://extension.psu.edu/mareks-disease-in-chickens