To vaccinate or not to vaccinate, that is the question

[AHappychick]

I am very interested in this tread. The first chicks I got I had vaccinated, but they became fox food so it did not help them much. So now my others have been hatched and I have not vaccinated them (I know how to vacinate cats but never put a shot in a bird before.... How do people vaccinate the birds they hatch?

 

[TXmom]

Quote:
I have to agree with you, I contacted Ideal and told them to do the vaccinations.

I completely appreciate and respect the more natural approach...I felt that way at first. But after much reading and thinking, I decided to go with the vaccines.

 

[lnm03]

Can or how can you vacinate chicks that you already have? Do you have to take them to the vet? Or is this something that I can do at home? I havent decided if I want to vacinate them yet but I am looking into more chicks or eggs to add to what I already have but wanted to know how to vacinate chickens I already have. My chickens are 11 wks now.

 

[TXmom]

Quote:
Here is a site that explains in detail with pics -

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/mdvac.htm

I think I read that they need to be vaccinated ASAP...like right after they hatch.

 

[dgeter]

My chick is a month old, is she too old to vacinate now? Also, theres no way I could do it myself.. I'm not good with that stuff. I could probablly stick a needle in myself put I couldnt do it to another person or animal. Good think I'm not a nurse!

Anyway, if shes not too old can I just take her to a vet?

 

[TXmom]

Quote:
http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page9.htm

Here's another link on that same site about Marek's. I don't personally know anything about it, just what I've been reading over the past few days. According to this link, they need to be vaccinated within a day or two. After they are about 5 months old, they will build a natural resistance to it.

 

[horsejody]

I vaccinate for Marek's. It's a terrible disease and is everywhere.

 

[sandyj]

For those of you who would like to vaccinate the chicks yourselves, I got this info from Jimnjay. www.featherfanciers.com. This is a chicken DR who can answer many of your questions. He also has an online store to order what you need.
sandyj

 

[CTChickenMom]

Thank you everyone for the great info. My chicks will be vaccinated against Marek's Disease and Coccidiosis. It says on my order that the vacs are for chicks only so I would say that they don't/can't vaccinate adult birds. There may be something to give them as adults but check with your local Cooperative Extension Ag agent or vet. As for mixing those vaccinated and those that aren't, it may be beneficial to mix them. The vaccinated ones are protected and the ones who aren't will stay safe because they are being mixed with ones who are...

...that was a mouth full! For $0.15 per chick, I think I can swing the cost.

 

[kyeschicks]

I would just vaccinate them because if you don't vaccinate them theres a more risk of them getting sick and when you vaccinate them it is a lower risk of them getting sick.