What vaccinations should I give to an adult hen?

[SpeckledPullet]

I have two hens I plan to start entering in county fairs. What vaccinations should I give to them? Do I actually need to vaccinate ALL of my chickens or can I quarantine the two girls after each show and call it a day?

What do you all that show do for vaccinations and biosecurity?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Most breeders/exhibitors that I know don't vaccinate; a few occasionally vaccinate for fowlpox or coryza.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

If your going to show you need them to be tested. Usually the shows will have an inspector there to give them the blood tests for pullorum-typhoid. Its easier if you are going to show to just get NPIP tested yearly its free here in Florida

 

[Sunny the Hippie Chick]

Watching this thread..

 

[Ryu]

I believe that most breeders don't vaccinate. Those that do usually vaccinate just for Marek's.

When I talked to Peter Brown last year he suggested Marek's, LT, and Corzya for show birds. Fowl Pox also if it is a problem in your area. This time of year it might be hard to vaccinate with some--there are isolation periods for some of the vaccines.

If the bird is adult, then Marek's is out though.

Vast majority of birds at the shows are healthy. I've seen a couple DQ'd for Corzya and was a little peeved that the owner didn't remove them/wasn't asked to remove them from the show hall--all their other birds were exposed and mixed in with everyone elses so it's kind of like closing the gate after the horses have run out.

Anyway, it's out there. My policy is that I never take a bird to a show that I can't afford to lose because you just don't know what's going to be in the cage next to you. The problem is if it is Marek's or even LymphLeuk you might not see it with even a 60 day quarantine. Some show, and sell the bird at the show so it doesn't come back to the base flock. I am hoping to get to that stage someday.

I think showing is worth the risk.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Depending on the state where the show is held there may or MAY NOT be a requirement for testing; it depends on each states individual laws and regulations. I have never been to a show that required testing or health certificates or had someoen present to do testing. That is largely because I live in the west and most western states do not have testing requirements. The year after the END epidemic, shows in California had a health inspection prior to entering the show building (about 1/2 mile prior!), at least for the one show I attended there (a silkie national).

I believe Oregon has a testing requirement, so the poultry clubs hold their shows in Washington instead. I'm not aware of any otehr western states with testing requirements.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

I was originally thinking of doing a 30 day quarantine after each show. However, I have started wonderinf if I should just have a second coop for show birds only. Does anyone else do this?

Those who don't, have you had any major issues with diseases brought in from shows?

I appreciate all of the great info.

I didn't know NPIP testing was free here. How do I go about doing that?

 

[Ryu]

We have a separate barn for the show birds.

 

[pips&peeps]

All birds here get vaccinated for mareks and ILT; some of the show birds are additionally vaccinated for Coryza.

We don't have a high incidence of fowl pox, but if it is prevelent in your area, I would suggest it.

I don't have a seperate barn for show birds, but do have quarantine areas for them.

 

[flgardengirl]

"If the bird is adult, then Marek's is out though." Why can't adult birds be vaccinated for Marek's?
I read that they should be vaccinated for it as chicks but could be vaccinated as adults as well. Now I'm confused....