Vaccinate or Not

[FortCluck]

Tesumph and I don’t count, huh? Ok.

You commented after I wrote this there's actually 4 people I think.

I just don't understand what the vaccine does...

So tesumph had it too or has it too?

 

[Meg-in-MT]

From what I understand though, Mareck's is very virulent. If you shake hands with the person, or they touch your crate, there is a chance the virus spreads - if there flocks are infected.
I sounds like even just going into a tractor supply might expose you to the virus.
Even being NPIP certified is meaningless - as they don't test for Marek's. It just sounds like we should assume that we are going to come in contact with the virus - which case, vaccinating seems to make sense to me.

Unless your like @Meg-in-MT , and go the hermit route! (I'm with you. If I could figure out a way to never had to come down off what my wife call "walton mountain" - I'd be a happy man.)

I'm still trying to figure out how to go to work and not leave my house...so far I've got nothing.

 

[FortCluck]

That's why I ended with "maybe", because that's exactly what I thought . Could be enlightening, though? Depending on who you talk to and how long they've been there. I know the mass feed stores get a bad rap, but some of them really do have knowledgeable people

But if I walk in there I'll end up getting Marek's... Now how do I buy my feed without buying from a farm, mill, or feed store? Do you know how many chicken owners walk on those properties?

See where I'm getting at It's impossible to avoid it... That's why I say it's more fear-driven. Yes, You can get it from going out in the public, or you could put your chickens in a bubble.

 

[FortCluck]

Tesumph and I don’t count, huh? Ok.

And when did she comment I must've missed it

 

[Meg-in-MT]

, which is probably not what she does.

You'd be surprised.

But if I walk in there I'll end up getting Marek's... Now how do I buy my feed without buying from a farm, mill, or feed store? Do you know how many chicken owners walk on those properties?

See where I'm getting at It's impossible to avoid it... That's why I say it's more fear-driven. Yes, You can get it from going out in the public, or you could put your chickens in a bubble.

I'm not sure if you understood my comment. I was only talking about calling the feed store to see if they vaccinated incoming chicks for Mareks. Then you would know if you've already got vaccinated chicks or not.

 

[FortCluck]

You'd be surprised.


I'm not sure if you understood my comment. I was only talking about calling the feed store to see if they vaccinated incoming chicks for Mareks. Then you would know if you've already got vaccinated chicks or not.

My point is though everyone is so worried about Marek's, but it's already all around us so there really is no way of preventing it. The vaccine really doesn't prevent it, does it?

@CSAchook says they vaccinate

I understand what you are saying, but this thread has not really helped me on why people vaccinate except for the few people who have contracted Marek's in their flocks and vaccinate now to protect their future flocks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

You commented after I wrote this there's actually 4 people I think.

I just don't understand what the vaccine does...

So tesumph had it too or has it too?

They both commented towards the beginning of the thread. Page 3 or 4 I think. Yesterday I think it was or the other day.

 

[NHMountainMan]

If you see any post about sick or injured chickens on BYC - limping chicken, won't eat, etc, etc, almost always, the symptoms point to a variety of illness, and almost always, Marek's could be one of the reasons the chicken is suffering. The advice by most of the experienced "healers" on BYC almost always say - if it get's better, great, as many survive Marek's. But they also survive strains, sprains, egg bound etc. But if the chicken doesn't survive, or is humanely put down - the recommendation is always to have a state lab necropsy performed.

What percent of those that are recommended for necropsy actual get the necropsy done? That's why looking at the experience of diagnosed Marek's on BYC isn't a good proxy for the incidence of Marek's.

As NPIP certification doesn't test Marek's - doesn't that mean that Marek's isn't a "closed flock" illness?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Some people wear different shoes and/or clothes than they wear out or walk through bleach before going in the yard. I don’t do any of that but some people do. I try to remember to wear different shoes but always forget.

 

[FortCluck]

If you see any post about sick or injured chickens on BYC - limping chicken, won't eat, etc, etc, almost always, the symptoms point to a variety of illness, and almost always, Marek's could be one of the reasons the chicken is suffering. The advice by most of the experienced "healers" on BYC almost always say - if it get's better, great, as many survive Marek's. But they also survive strains, sprains, egg bound etc. But if the chicken doesn't survive, or is humanely put down - the recommendation is always to have a state lab necropsy performed.

What percent of those that are recommended for necropsy actual get the necropsy done? That's why looking at the experience of diagnosed Marek's on BYC isn't a good proxy for the incidence of Marek's.

As NPIP certification doesn't test Marek's - doesn't that mean that Marek's isn't a "closed flock" illness?

So all these places that sell NPIP could be giving your flock Marek's?

I want to pick an avian veterinarians brain over this because I want to know what they think about the vaccine for Marek's.

I guess for now I'll just be the chicken owner who is naive since nothing has swayed me either way.