which vaccinations to give ??

[halfpynt]

Hi new to chick raising ,,,, we have 6 girls,,, and plan on keeping them as pets// egg layers...

Do most of you take your chickens to a vet when you get them to have them vaccinated,, ??

or do you buy the vaccination meds online like some sites sell , and do it yourselves ??

 

[justusnak]

If you are ordering them from a hatchery, they can vaccinate them for you. THey really need to be done in the first day. However, of you do not get them vaccinated, just use medicated chick starter. My first flock, they are a year old now, have never been vaccinated. They are healthy and happy, laying between 8 and 10 eggs a day from 11 hens. My new babies, I ordered from MM Hatchery...they were vaccinated. They are also very healthy at 7 weeks old. I have new babies hatching today...and they will just get medicated chick starter. Good luck which ever way you chose to go.

 

[chickbea]

I'm not sure what illnesses you are looking to eliminate.
Vaccinations that are given to day old chicks are usually for Marek's disease. Marek's is a nasty and fatal viral disease that causes massive internal lesions. It can be easily spread from an infected bird through feather dander.
Medicated chick starter is to control coccidiosis (sp?), which is a bacteria spread through droppings. Depending on the severity of the intestinal load, it can be fatal or not.
If you already have your girls, and they appear healthy, they don't need anything. For ongoing flock maintenance, you can periodically bring a fecal sample to your vet, and they can let you know if you have any parasite issues that you need to address.
Have fun!