vaccinated chicks or not?

[wildorchid053]

i have 8 hens 1 yr old not vaccinated. i am ordering 20 more this spring. i keep seeing so much mareks going around and want to get vaccinationed chicks but can i house them with the older not vaccinated hens?

 

[Cindiloohoo]

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't. I don't vaccinate any of mine because they hatch here. I have only ever had 4 birds that weren't hatched on the property. Maybe someone with more experience will answer soon. That's just my personal opinion

 

[robin416]

Where are you brooding the peeps? If its away from the older girls I would do it.

Mareks is popping up in places that have not brought in new birds. In one of our newsletters from the Faverolle Club the topic was about the president of the club losing all of his new peeps to Mareks. That made the decision for me, I have ordered the vaccine and will vaccinate my youngins for Mareks.

 

[MudPie]

I was asking the same question a couple of weeks ago. No one could come up with a reason not to vaccinate. Other than the extra 10 cents/bird, or what ever the cost was. So I went on and had the chicks vaccinated. I don't see any harm in it.

 

[wildorchid053]

ty all.. they will be in the house till they are able to go outside.. since i ordered for april it will be may before they venture out..probably 2 mos before they stay out in the coop near the hens.. i just don't want to infect or hurt my cute first hens i got.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Me too, Robin. I lost a roo a few months ago to possible Marek's, and all my chickens were hatched here except for 1 this past spring. So I've decided to vaccinate as well. I'm thinking maybe it could be brought in by wild birds? Crows?

 

[wildorchid053]

ok i went wild and ordered from my pet chicken. 6 easter eggers, 3 lt. brahmas, 4 buff orpingtons, 4 silver lace wyandottes, 2 golden lace wyandottes and 3 blue cochin all female all vaccinated and all cold hardy breeds.. wish me luck. i ordered to be delivered april 12.. will post pics when babies come. hopefully the snow will be gone by then

 

[Whisper]

If there haven't been chickens on your place before, then it was likely spread by the wind from chickens upwind of your place. The virus travels on the chicken's feather dander (dust.) Doesn't come from other species of birds, as fowl pox does, just chickens.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Hi Wildorchid:

I always prefer to get my birds vaccinated. Your older birds have likely been exposed to some form of Mareks at some time. They have usually developed resistance by the time they are a year old as yours are.

The Marek's virus can live for weeks apart from a host, and is very wide spread. It can be carried to your flock on peoples clothing and by wild birds (they may have the dander on them from another chicken coop.

 

[Mahonri]

For the most part if you have an isolated small flock, there is no need to vaacinate.

If you are going to be adding birds from other's folks. Then you need to do it.