Vaccinating chicks?

[ChickGirl4Life]

I'm new and I was wondering if I should maybe vaccinate them? But if not what are some precautions to prevent diseases?

 

[LarryPQ]

It depends on where you are, if you are going to have a closed flock, if wild birds will have access to your coop/run (they carry diseases, etc.

I didn't and learned the hard way. I know do all my own vaccinations.

 

[ChickGirl4Life]

Ok. And if they are in contact with wild birds etc. what vaccinations would I want?

 

[chickengrl]

Probably the most important thing you can do to prevent disease is to never add grown chickens to your flock. Only add chicks you hatch yourself or day old chicks from reputable breeders and hatcheries. Swaps, auctions, and even Craig's list is the fastest way to bring home a nasty disease. I think even more likely than wild birds. IMHO. I have chosen to vaccinate our birds after we had ILT run through our coop. (bought birds at the above mention sources

) We are going to vaccinate for ILT, Coryza, Fowl pox and possibly MG. The drawback is the cost of doing the above. I would reccomend calling Peter Brown with First State vet Supply. He is known as the chicken doctor. He is walking me through the process. You might choose to do only the really deadly ones ILT and Coryza, or not at all. I do believe you can have a healthy flock without vaccinating but you have to be ultra careful who you get birds from. I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

I realize you are in 4H, so you will be taking your birds to shows? I would totally vaccinate them for at least ILT and coryza if you can afford it. Talk with Peter Brown, he will know which are more important for show birds.

 

[ChickGirl4Life]

Yes I'm taking mine to show. Is Peter Brown national? If so could you give me his website or phone number?

 

[Judy]

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps030

 

[ChickGirl4Life]

ddawn:

Thanks for the URL link. That helped so much!!

 

[chickengrl]

Peter Brown can be contacted via the website www.firststatevetsupply.com He has a wealth of knowledge on chicken diseases and illness. He also sells off this website. He sometimes charges a consult fee, but since I was purchasing vaccine he did not charge. I think he was just getting so many calls that he had to do something for all the time he spent on the phone. Call him and talk with him and tell him you are a teenager in 4H. I have a feeling he will help you at no charge. He is a nice man. And more than likely you will return the favor by buying from him. Good luck!

 

[ChickGirl4Life]

What about the consultation fee of $ 25.00? Do you think I would have to pay that?