Brooding Vacc'd Chicks?

Hi all,

Is it possible to brood chicks that have been vaccinated with those that have not? I see that some Mareks vacc's can cause the chicken to shed, but do all?

If the chicks you get are vaccinated, and you grow them out and introduce them to your flock, they could potentially shed mareks to your whole flock?

I just want to make sure I understand correctly! Thanks!

I have been told that it is safe. I used the Marek's vaccine that is derrived from the turkey virus.
Some say they will still shed this somewhat, but I have mixed the chicks and no issues so far.
I do wonder about it shedding to baby turkeys though? But from my understanding the turkey virus never really harms the turkeys, some people say raising chicks and turkeys together actually gives you chicks natural immunity since they are slowly exposed to the turkey one and build up resistance to the chicken form. Not sure how true it is.
I will be asking this at the talk in Red Deer this spring.

Ok, so next question, I DO want to vaccinate my chicks but I spent over an hour yesterday trying to FIND vaccine!!! They sure don't make it easy. Is there a reason you can't get it through your vet?

Hi,

Because the vaccine is derived from a turkey Herpes virus, it should really not affect your other chicks in any visible way.

Try contacting the people at Canadian Poultry Consultants. That is where my vaccines come from and I am sure they will ship it to you.

http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/

Clayton

Hi Clayton,

Thank you so much for the info and link. I will check it out right now.