Vaccinating chicks for Marek's at 3 days

[waddles99]

This may seem like a stupid question, but is it ok to vaccinate chicks for Marek's at 3 days old instead of a day old? I totally forgot to order the vaccine and was going to get it sent overnight but it is the weekend and they dont ship until Monday.....meaning it won't get here until Tuesday. The chicks are scheduled to hatch tonight (Saturday Night). Is it alright to vaccinate them at 3 days old instead of a day? Will it still be as effective as vaccinating at one day old?

Thanks!

 

[BantamLover21]

The vaccine may not be effective, since if chicks are exposed to the Marek's virus before they are vaccinated, the vaccine doesn't really work. That is why chicks are usually vaccinated at the earliest possible age, one day, minimizing the time that they could be exposed to Marek's. Still, I would get the vaccine by Tuesday and vaccinate any chicks that hatch. Any protection they can get is better than none.