Vaccinate or Not

[marilyn1954]

Also I NEVER give medicated feed....

 

[marilyn1954]

The price of that vaccine!! You think that's single dose? Most are.

That price is for the bottle its probably for A boatload of chickens

 

[equustears]

Even some hatcheries, while offering the vaccinations, recommend small flock owners not vaccinate.

I was given 9 day old Cremanti chicks last May. They all made it to fall then started dropping weekly. My beautiful flock is now 2 hens only. We sent them for necropsy and that hen was positive for Mareks. The hatchery said they vaccinated.
I don’t get what I did wrong here. I also have 3 Cochin hens that are old spinsters and not effected. I have opportunity to get an outside Roo but.... will he get sick if theyoung hens are carrying? I’m confused to vac not vac didn’t help my birds

 

[marilyn1954]

Hmmm interesting

the hatchery I use def suggests you give Marecks vac.
Mareck's disease -- nervous system: Introduction
Mareck's disease -- nervous system: A viral disease that affects poultry - it is very contagious and is a herpes virus. The virus tends to affect the nerves and cause tumors in internal organs. Poultry may be unable to lay eggs or may even die. Young birds are more susceptible than older birds with death most common between the ages of 8 and 20 weeks. The virus may attack the nervous system and result in paralysis or it may attack the visceral system and cause tumors in the internal organs. Some birds may die without any obvious symptoms. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Mareck's disease -- nervous system is available below.

 

[marilyn1954]

I was given 9 day old Cremanti chicks last May. They all made it to fall then started dropping weekly. My beautiful flock is now 2 hens only. We sent them for necropsy and that hen was positive for Mareks. The hatchery said they vaccinated.
I don’t get what I did wrong here. I also have 3 Cochin hens that are old spinsters and not effected. I have opportunity to get an outside Roo but.... will he get sick if theyoung hens are carrying? I’m confused to vac not vac didn’t help my birds

To me better safe than sorry.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I was given 9 day old Cremanti chicks last May. They all made it to fall then started dropping weekly. My beautiful flock is now 2 hens only. We sent them for necropsy and that hen was positive for Mareks. The hatchery said they vaccinated.
I don’t get what I did wrong here. I also have 3 Cochin hens that are old spinsters and not effected. I have opportunity to get an outside Roo but.... will he get sick if theyoung hens are carrying? I’m confused to vac not vac didn’t help my birds

Honestly I don't know. I don't vaccinate so I really cannot answer. I would THINK that if you have a carrier there is an increased chance he could catch it.....but no idea how it would affect him or if he might be able to fight it off.

 

[equustears]

the hatchery I use def suggests you give Marecks vac.
Mareck's disease -- nervous system: Introduction
Mareck's disease -- nervous system: A viral disease that affects poultry - it is very contagious and is a herpes virus. The virus tends to affect the nerves and cause tumors in internal organs. Poultry may be unable to lay eggs or may even die. Young birds are more susceptible than older birds with death most common between the ages of 8 and 20 weeks. The virus may attack the nervous system and result in paralysis or it may attack the visceral system and cause tumors in the internal organs. Some birds may die without any obvious symptoms. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Mareck's disease -- nervous system is available below.

Sooo am I to understand what you’re saying - I should not add to my flock ? The virus being so contagious , will probably kill any one I add?
so I’m done having chickens when my spinsters pass?

 

[equustears]

Also everybody !!! Are the eggs ok to use from my 2 surviving hens ??????
This is a nightmare

 

[marilyn1954]

Sooo am I to understand what you’re saying - I should not add to my flock ? The virus being so contagious , will probably kill any one I add?
so I’m done having chickens when my spinsters pass?

O. Or at all. I add to my flock every few years. i don’t breed. We eat all our eggs, I think breeders think/do different than people who just eat vs breed

 

[NatJ]

Also everybody !!! Are the eggs ok to use from my 2 surviving hens ??????
This is a nightmare

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/marek’s-disease-backyard-chickens

"Eggs and meat from infected chickens are not affected by the disease and are safe to eat."