Will I infect my tiny flock?

[heidibeidi]

Hello chicken lovers!
I have a small backyard flock of three hens, 18 months old, that I ordered from My Pet Chicken. We got them vaccinated for Marek's, and they have been quite healthy, although they are molting right now. I have wanted to add a couple hens because I enjoy them so much and we have room. I found a couple adult Amercauna's from a local person who is moving. She said these birds have been healthy, but they were exposed to Marek's a while back and obviously survived it. If they appear healthy, and my chickens are vaccinated . . .is it safe for me to get them? I would quarantine the new girls as long as I can, but they would be in the same yard so I'm not sure how effective it is. I really don't want to harm my hens, isn't this what the vaccination is for?

It seems really complicated to get more hens without having some kind of problem! I hate that!!

thanks for any guidance, I'm still a newbie I guess!

 

[willowbranchfarm]

I got my chicks from my pet chicken and they 9 days old. I didn't get them vaccinated and there doing fine.

 

[SilkieBantams]

I would suggest to quarantine the new birds for a week to avoid any type of illnesses or diseases they might have.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

You should quarantine the new hens for at least 3 weeks to make sure they are healthy. No sneezing, puffy eyes, nasal discharge, etc. I would also treat them for mites/lice with either Ivermectin Pour On or Permethrin spray.

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page21.htm
Says you can mix birds vaccinated for mareks and non-vaccinated birds together.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

A week is very much on the low end as many things take longer to show up 30 days is a more standard practice. You can also select one of your flock to put with the new additions as a sacraficial indicator.

She said these birds have been healthy, but they were exposed to Marek's a while back and obviously survived it. If they appear healthy, and my chickens are vaccinated . . .is it safe for me to get them?

However, if you are specifically concern about Mareks the time period for manifestation of symptoms is so long quarantine would be impractical. Also Mareks vaccine is not a 100% bombproof thing and chickens potentially exposed and infected with Mareks is not something you want to have even if your flock has been vaccinated.

I would pass on such a deal without much need to think on it.​

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Not reallly the same thing as mixing vaccinated with exposed. Personally, I'd pass. If I was going to get them anyway, I'd do a bunch of research on Marek's first. Maybe one of these links will help.

And I agree, there is also the danger from any of a number of respiratory diseases, among other things.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=39918


https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=12751

 

[heidibeidi]

Well, that's kind of what I figured . . .it's a bad idea. I'm bummed! I guess I don't understand the vaccine if it doesn't prevent them from getting Marek's if they come in contact. So basically, if I want more chickens, I should order chicks from a quality hatchery, have them vaccinated and wait until they are nearly adults to mix them together. I'm an instant gratification kind of gal, so it's hard for me to be patient enough to do that.

RATS!

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
Get yourself an incubator. It taught me patience, there's something to look forward to all the time.
And you know those chicks will be clean.
It's def. not like sitting at home waiting for live chicks to come in the mail.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Not reallly the same thing as mixing vaccinated with exposed. Personally, I'd pass. If I was going to get them anyway, I'd do a bunch of research on Marek's first. Maybe one of these links will help.

And I agree, there is also the danger from any of a number of respiratory diseases, among other things.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=39918


https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=12751

Oops. Read it wrong.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, honestly.

It'd be different if it were a favor for a friend or family...but a stranger, no. There are so many other chickens for sale everywhere.