Vaccinating chicks

[claud]

Does anyone vaccinate their own chicks? Instructions on doing this and where to get supplies? Mareks and Cocci

 

[jimnjay]

I just vaccinated my new chicks for Cocci. You don't have to inject them, you spray the vaccine on their food. I got my vaccine from First State Vet supply Peter Brown the owner is a PHD in Poultry Science and extreamly helpful. He will instruct you in how to vaccinate for any of the meds her carries. I don't know about Mareks, I have not done it, but I think it is an injection, not sure. Good Luck

 

[chicksnducks]

Doesn't medicated feed vaccinate for coccidios???

 

[CarriBrown]

Can you vaccinate adult birds for cocci or just young ones?

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
not exactly - it just holds the coccidia 'in check' enough that the birds can hopefully build up a little natural immunity without getting sick. Some people do not like to use antibiotics in their feed and thus do not want to use medicated feed. The vaccine supposedly achieves similar results (tho I don't think it protects against *all* kinds of coccidia strains?) without antibiotics.

Never used either myself so this is just what I've read,

Pat

 

[claud]

Quote:
No, medicated feed is more like an antibiotic. once you stop feeding it they are no longer protected. The vaccine allows them to build up their own immunity without actually getting the disease - much like human vaccinations.

 

[chicksnducks]

so should I vaccinate? i have hatched them myself so I am not sure what I need to do....

 

[Wildsky]

Quote:
No, medicated feed is more like an antibiotic. once you stop feeding it they are no longer protected. The vaccine allows them to build up their own immunity without actually getting the disease - much like human vaccinations.

In th elong run - vaccines actually weaken the immune system - yeah human ones too.

 

[claud]

Quote:
I don't think it would be necessary to vaccinate adults. usually by the time they are adults they've already been exposed to cocci and have built up an immunity.

 

[claud]

Quote:
If you have a small personal flock I don't think I would bother. You can feed them the medicated feed as chicks if you have lots of birds. I've raised some without medicated feed or vaccines before and they were ok.