Vaccination or no Vaccination that is the question

[e'sbackyardchickens]

We have always purchased chicks at our local farm store. I have assumed since they came from Cackle Hatchery they were vaccinated. We currently have 7 chicks hatching from these hens and I am wondering if I should try to get some vaccine today to vaccinate them? Do they have immunity from their mother? Is vaccination helpful?

 

[Eggcessive]

Hatcheries do not vaccinate chicks unless they are ordered that way, and paid for. There is a lot of difference of opinion about vaccinating chicks for Mareks disease. Many people don’t vaccinate or want their chicks vaccinated. I have had some chickens vaccinated in the beginning, but any chicks hatched here were not vaccinated. The hatcheries have a better vaccine than what is sold online, I understand. The Mareks vaccine does not guarantee that your chickens won’t get Mareks.

I would call your feed store and ask them if they sell only vaccinated chicks. More than likely, it is no. You could also call the hatchery. If they weren’t vaccinated, I wouldn’t bother vaccinating the chicks, but that is up to you.