I now get only vaccinated chicks and I should mention I only have Banties. I ordered with 3 friends last May a total of 45. Of my 16 vaccinated chicks, only the Silver Sebright developed typical progressive symptoms along with 2 other chicks that were incubator hatched and gifted to me at the same time and were in with this group. All 3 developed typical Mareks symptoms and died as young adults in the same few weeks. One other vaccinated chick also developed something odd at the same time, a leg that swelled to an enormous size. I feel confident I will not loose any others in this group that is now approaching a year old.
Oddly, out of my non vaccinated group of 16 from a March incubator hatch, only one succumbed at the same time as the other group who were actually kept on different properties. They are now all here on the same property in different coops and I waited all winter for "the ax to drop" on the non vaccinated group, but so far no more symptoms in either group. But in the coop with this non vaccinated group I had 3 other older birds develop the typical Mareks symptoms though.
I still will only get vaccinated chicks. It is so heart wrenching to have them go through this, and odds are better for the vaccinated ones even though my bunch wasn't typical odds. I am not a pro by any means, but having gone through loosing so many birds to Mareks, I always recommend getting vaccinated birds.
I do wonder when you get them from hatcheries, how do they vaccinated some, but not others?? We ordered a few of each color, a total of 45 vaccinated. Knowing that the vaccine must be used in a very short time, I would love to know how they make sure MINE are vaccinated. Does anyone know how small groups are done?
