Vaccination trends for the area?

[javaferret]

Hi, I am a bit late in asking (my chicks are currently in the mail right now heading this way) but was curious if chicken owners out here vaccinate small flocks against Marek's and if medicated or non medicated chick starter is preferred.

I had chickens before when I lived in Wyoming, and no one vaccinated, but everyone used medicated chick feed for coccidia. Now that I am newly located in lovely Benton County,Oregon I just realized I should have asked around before ordering my chicks. Any other area specific health issues (worms, disease) that is common here?

Thanks for any input!

 

[QueenMisha]

Hi there - I'm not from Oregon but to better find folks who are, I'd recommend heading over to the "Where am I? Where are you!" forum and posting this on the local thread - most often threads are statewide but sometimes there will be threads for smaller areas such as counties or North/South distinctions.

My personal recommendation is to always vaccinate for Marek's no matter where you are - it's such a common disease that it's best to be protected, and vaccination is cheap and offers no ill effects. I will say that down here in CA Marek's is rampant - in my county alone, my avian vet estimates 95% of flocks to be infected with the same mild strain of it.

Medicated feed is generally always recommended, no matter where you are - it helps them get off to a better start.

 

[javaferret]

Thanks! (and ugh I thought I posted under the Oregon thread, but must of started a new thread instead of post reply). Since it is too late to vaccinate my incoming chicks, does that mean I can not add vaccinated birds later to the unvaccinated group? I vaguely remember reading something about if you have vaccinated birds you can not add unvaccinated birds to that flock?

 

[QueenMisha]

Thanks! (and ugh I thought I posted under the Oregon thread, but must of started a new thread instead of post reply).  Since it is too late to vaccinate my incoming chicks, does that mean I can not add vaccinated birds later to the unvaccinated group?  I vaguely remember reading something about if you have vaccinated birds you can not add unvaccinated birds to that flock?

I have mixed vaccinated and non-vaccinated birds in my flock with no issues. It shouldn't pose any problem; of course if for any reason Marek's is introduced into the flock at any time the non-vaccinated birds have potential to show symptoms whereas the vaccinated birds will be protected with 95% effectiveness.

 

[javaferret]

Thank you, that is good news, I will definetly vaccinate any future chicks!