Vaccination question

[rosemarysugar]

I'm getting 3 new chicks tomorrow, several days old. They have not been vaccinated. Why is mareks only to be given at one day?

 

[paneubert]

From what I see in the litterature, there was some talk in the 70's and 80's about vaccinating at both one day of age, as well as a second dose at 3-4 weeks of age. So it was done well past one day of age in the past. It is safe to do so. They were testing the claims that the double vaccination reduced losses long term. They found that the second dose did not actually reduce the number of chickens who eventually died from Mareks, so people don't do it anymore.

But to answer your question about why it is only done at one day of age and not later in life....here is a quote that sums it up well.


"Purchasing Marek’s vaccine is possible, but usually it is sold in quantities for vaccinating thousands of chicks at a time. Ordering vaccine as a large group sometimes works, but remember, all chicks need to be day old in order to vaccinate—or else you are wasting your time and money as the chicks will get exposure to the virus early in their life."

Basically is is cost prohibitive, and each hour older they are, the riskier it is that they will be exposed to Mareks in your house/yard and then the vaccine won't help at all.

 

[rosemarysugar]

From what I see in the litterature, there was some talk in the 70's and 80's about vaccinating at both one day of age, as well as a second dose at 3-4 weeks of age. So it was done well past one day of age in the past. It is safe to do so. They were testing the claims that the double vaccination reduced losses long term. They found that the second dose did not actually reduce the number of chickens who eventually died from Mareks, so people don't do it anymore.

But to answer your question about why it is only done at one day of age and not later in life....here is a quote that sums it up well.


"Purchasing Marek’s vaccine is possible, but usually it is sold in quantities for vaccinating thousands of chicks at a time. Ordering vaccine as a large group sometimes works, but remember, all chicks need to be day old in order to vaccinate—or else you are wasting your time and money as the chicks will get exposure to the virus early in their life."

Basically is is cost prohibitive, and each hour older they are, the riskier it is that they will be exposed to Mareks in your house/yard and then the vaccine won't help at all.

 

[rosemarysugar]

Ok, this makes sense. So at 4 or so days old, they have likely already been exposed and it's pointless. Not sure precisely what I will get but they said between 1 day and 4 wks old. I'm kinda doubting one will hatch as I'm walking in the door. Lol I guess I'll take them home and let them grow up a bit and put them out with the big girls. The older ones have been vaccinated so I don't think there should be anything going around. Thank you very much for your time!

 

[Folly's place]

Chicks hatched here aren't vaccinated, and chicks I order from hatcheries always get Marek's vaccine. So, I have two groups of birds, and haven't had Marek's disease yet. My unvaccinated birds would show disease issues, and non have . 'Canaries in the coal mine', so far clear.
Mary

 

[silkie1472]

The article is right. The vaccine is usually given at one day of age just because of exposure risks. Chicks, like babies, are more susceptible to diseases and viruses when young, so they are vaccinated. Having vaccinations too late may be unnecessary, though possible, as they would most likely have already been exposed.

 

[sylviethecochin]

The older ones have been vaccinated so I don't think there should be anything going around.

Marek's vaccine is a "leaky vaccine." Chickens that have been vaccinated can still contract the disease, but they have the antibodies to stop the cancerous growths from forming. So there's a high likelihood that all of your chickens do have Marek's. The vaccinated ones are just less likely to die from it.

Recommended reading

 

[Folly's place]

It's a far from perfect product, but the best thing available right now.
Mary