Vaccinations for show chickens? NPIP testing question as well.

[Nicole01]

I have 17 pure bred Ameracuana's from 2 separate breeders in my incubator. I'm hoping to keep 4-5 if show quality and start showing through 4-H with my girls. Right now I have blue and black for colors. If none are show quality or skittish I will start over next year with wheaten or blue wheaten color.

Do or should I vaccinate my show birds and when is there a certain amount of time where it's too late to vaccinate? I have lockdown tomorrow for my first set.

I will be having them NPIP tested. At what age is this usually done?

Thank you. Also, is it stressful on the birds to show? I'm new to this, but this is something my kids and us really want to do.

 

[Nicole01]

We haven't signed up for 4-H, but will be doing so in the next few weeks through the flyers from school.

 

[NYREDS]

Personally I don't vaccinate & don't recommend it. Vaccination is usually done shortly after hatch.
Birds over 4 months of age are blood tested for the NPIP program.
Showing is stressful to some extent. Preparing the birds for show by cage training them eases this stress.

 

[Nicole01]

Thank you.

I could start cage training at a young age.