Should we give our chicks Marek's vaccination?

[hiddenflock]

We ordered 24 hatching eggs to be shipped the week of the 17th. All of our birds except 1 have been immunized for Marek's (or to prevent the symptoms) but these are our first chickens to hatch. Should we vaccinate them? If so, how do we vaccinate day-olds?

 

[Judy]

You can order the vaccine online, I believe from some of the major hatcheries and probably JeffersLivestock, maybe even Amazon. It's not necessary to vaccinate simply because some others have been vaccinated, though. I recently read on one of the major hatchery's websites (I've forgotten which) that actually they don't recommend vaccinating small flocks. I'm not sure how they define small flocks -- but I'd think they mean other than large commercial operations, with thousands of birds.

There are pros and cons, I'm sure you realize. In the end, it's a personal choice. I've had chickens, small flocks, off and on for many years, and I've never seen a case of Marek's, or any of the other "chicken diseases" such as MG, etc. I know that many other small flock owners with experience will tell you the same thing. But they can certainly happen to any of us.

 

[hiddenflock]

Thank you, if not necessary we will probably not vaccinate.

 

[Nambroth]

Read the first section (vaccination) in the Marek's FAQ in my signature, then go into your decision fully informed.

 

[hiddenflock]

Thanks for the article!