vaccinating against Mareks and medicated food

[goldeneggtees]

Hi, question: Someone told me if you get vaccinated chicks (for Mareks) then you don't or shouldn't feed medicated chick starter. True or False?

Also, I am having trouble with a hen of mine and didn't get many responses on my last post, here is a link, any advice will be greatly appreciated!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=4069287#p4069287

 

[babsbag]

Marek's is a viral disease that they can get. The medicated feed is to help prevent coccidiosis. Not the same thing AT ALL. You can do both, either one, or neither.

 

[chickerdoodle]

False. They mean if they are vaccinated for Cocci the medicated feed would nullify the vaccine but would not hurt them. Cocci is a protozoan parasite that can wipe out chicks rapidly if they don't have any immunity. Mareks is totally different--its a serious and often fatal virus.

I didn't have a chance to check your link so hope someone else (off to work!) can help with that.

 

[goldeneggtees]

That's what I thought but wanted to check - thanks!

 

[kipper]

Good for you, I'm glad you had your chicks vaccinated. Many people have no idea what can happen if you don't. I wish feed stores would spring for the extra few cents and vaccinate!

 

[goldeneggtees]

Yea, I never knew with my first hens. I still have seven, they are only a year old and one died last week. When I had an autopsy done by a friend who also happens to be a vet, she found the hen had a tumor on her spleen that burst and she bled to death. Could have been from Mareks, could have been from something else. But who knows! I know one thing, I sure wish I had had them vaccinated as chicks. At least that would be one less thing to worry about!