To Vaccinate or not to Vaccinate?

[prncs13]

I have been raising chicks for years. Or let me say this correctly. My broody hen sits every year, once she starts sitting I give her fake eggs and she sits while I order chicks online. I go out and pop the babies under her and she is happy.

I have never gotten the Marek's vaccination for my chicks but was wondering if I should. We have never had a problem in the past.

Thoughts on vaccinations?

Michelle

 

[Megan Amber]

Well I don't have any of my chickens vaccinated nor do I intend to and we have never experienced issues. We went through a Fowl Pox spell last summer but they can only get that once and now they are naturally immune.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

I have never had a problem with hen-raised chicks getting sick, but I have had problems with brooder-kept chicks. Left and right they were getting Marek's and Coccidiosis due to a crowding issue and stress.

I wouldn't vaccinate because I want the resistant birds who will give me resistant babies (that is, if you want to breed your birds), IMO.

 

[prncs13]

I just really hate to vaccinate and I haven't had any issues. We are getting 6 babies. They spend the first day with me and that night they go under Sugar (as long as everyone seemed okay). Last year she didn't get them until the 2nd day because we had a sick one and I wanted to make sure it was feeling better first. We take care of them all organically so I guess I will just stick with that. Not sure why the Marek thing is stuck in my head this time.

 

[Megan Amber]

Everything's just been so crazy lately -mystery illnesses and parasites! I am double checking my strategies as well