Worming/Vaccines/Antibiotics

[CrazyChickenCat]

Hi!

I'm relatively new to caring for my own flock, and I started out with lots of uninformed enthusiasm, grabbing a chicken here, two there, 5 in Mississippi, etc. Then I actually started doing research and reading about NPIP certification - I talked to my State Ag department and should have someone coming out to test soon. I bought Poxine, Newcastle Bronchitis and Marek's vaccines. I have all ages, and was hoping - since I am unsure of vaccine history - to vaccinate the whole flock at once, especially since each vaccine comes with 1000 doses. I am planning to ask the vet who comes out what he/she thinks of that.

I noticed that some of the birds that I introduced without quarantine to my flock had odd looking poops, so after much reading on this forum and other chicken sites, I bought some valbazen. I dosed everyone a few days ago. My adults have now all been with me for 4 or more months, but some have some mucous on their nostrils at times. Everyone seems to be laying well, they are bright, alert, run around the yard eating bugs, harass me for their feed in the morning, and their treats (sunflower seeds and corn) anytime I walk outside. At this point, should I leave well enough alone? Or since I'm already discarding eggs from the valbazen, should I go ahead and treat their water with a broad spectrum antibiotic? I have Oxytetracycline. Do you think it would be system overload so close to the deworming? Since everyone seems fine should I assume no one has a bacterial infection and not does them with antibiotics?

Last but not least - Valbazen - aka albendazole is used to treat worms in humans. Do I really need to throw out my eggs? I foster cats and dogs, I may need a dewormer! Could the amount filtered into the eggs hurt me? I've already told my egg customers no eggs for May, but what about little old me (actually quite large, substantial me)? Can I just make a nice egg/albendazole/Mediterranean quiche por moi?

PS, The spellcheck tried to make me change Valbazen to Wallabies every time.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[Judy]

I suspect that the truth is that many people do eat their own eggs when giving Valbazen, for just that reason, but of course would not want to recommend it to others. Of course, there is always a chance that someone will be allergic to it.

Every vaccine is different; you just have to go by the directions for each one. I really don't know anything about them, sorry. Many small flock owners, like me, have never used them.

It is possible that you have one of the respiratory diseases in your flock. You might consider having it tested. If you do, you should never sell a chicken, or eggs for hatching. In chickens, these are viral diseases and not curable. Here is some additional reading:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/respiratory-illness-in-chickens.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-injuries-diseases-how-to-diagnose-treat-your-chickens

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...and-now-a-buggery-nose-on-my-roo#post_9778598 (esp. post 9)

 

[CrazyChickenCat]

Thanks so much for your advice! I'll make an appointment with the vet as soon as they open. I've got lots of shipped hatchlings that haven't been exposed to the older birds, so I sure hope not. The (hopefully) good news is - http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/respiratory-illness-in-chickens.html - doesn't list anything familiar.

Thanks again!