;

Chickens in the Road Forum

A A A

Please consider registering
guest

Log In Register

Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search:

— Forum Scope —



— Match —



— Forum Options —




Wildcard usage:
*  matches any number of characters    %  matches exactly one character

Minimum search word length is 4 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters

Topic RSS
Vaccinating chicks
April 12, 2012
3:21 pm
Linda Goble
Mighty Chicken
Forum Posts: 159
Member Since:
October 5, 2010
Offline

I was wondering about should I have my chicks vaccinated before they come.  I wanted to raise  them organically.  I see they can get all kinds of diseases. Did you vaccinate your chicks?chicken

April 12, 2012
5:26 pm
BuckeyeGirl
N.E. Ohio
Admin
Forum Posts: 4729
Member Since:
February 10, 2009
Offline

I do mine but if they're vaccinated, you won't be able to claim actual organic status by the book no matter how you feed them.  To me, there's a balance of what's healthy though and I'd rather give them the vaccine than to try to medicate them later or worse yet, loose most of my flock. Also, Marek's disease is a long lingering thing and it's cruel not to do so IMO, if you've ever seen them die from it, it's an easy choice.  Of course, I know that because of the long history of having chickens here on this property, I know it's present here in the soil etc.

Located in N.E. Ohio
April 17, 2012
11:16 pm
jamitysmom
Topsfield, MA
Big Chicken
Forum Posts: 76
Member Since:
July 15, 2011
Offline

Hi Linda, I didn't have mine vaccinated and one of my roosters came down with what I believe was Marek's disease.  He was very very sick, couldn't stand, had dark almost black/green stool and I thought he was going to die.  I took him to a vet here and she wasn't sure exactly what it was.  The only way to test for Marek's is to have them tested AFTER they have died (or they've been euthanized).  He gradually got better and is alive but he does have some balance problems still.  I know the flock has been exposed to whatever it was but they are all doing fine (it's been about 9 months since he was sick).  Anyway, I think it would have been so much better knowing what it wasn't by having the vaccination.  In our state (Massachusetts) it is so hard to actually be able to claim "organic" eggs, you have to jump through hoops!  Even if you feed them organic chicken feed you can't claim that they are organic unless every single thing you give them is certified "organic".  That means any scraps from the kitchen, chicken scratch, etc., and you have to have your place inspected by the state on a regular basis from what I understand.  So I do feed mine organic feed or "natural" feed because I feel better doing so but I also give them scraps from my (not organic) kitchen.  I don't sell my eggs, I give them to family and friends and everyone agrees that they are awesome!  Just my opinion but if I were to do it over I would get them vaccinated.

April 18, 2012
9:45 am
Linda Goble
Mighty Chicken
Forum Posts: 159
Member Since:
October 5, 2010
Offline

Thanks BuckeyGirl and Jamesitysmom, I have decide to call and have they vaccinate them.  They will be  tired of my calls.  I ordered 2 more and then I call  to change one because I realize that hen was gonna be a huge hen a 10.lb and my others are 4-7 lbs. so whats one more call.  Hubby is working on coop still. Hopefully will be done so I can paint the inside to give it time to air out.

Forum Timezone: America/New_York

Most Users Ever Online: 135

Currently Online: lavenderblue
29 Guest(s)

Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)

Top Posters:

Leahld22: 2716

Ross: 2364

MaryB: 1783

JeannieB: 1500

Joell: 1487

Member Stats:

Guest Posters: 14

Members: 7551

Moderators: 3

Admins: 4

Forum Stats:

Groups: 2

Forums: 16

Topics: 3270

Posts: 62980

Newest Members: coker2, AmandaW, Bobbielynnjoy1213, lashyep, skysoldier173d, Snelly

Moderators: Pete (8247), wvhomecanner (3130), Flatlander (1602)

Administrators: Suzanne McMinn (7310), emiline220 (15), CindyP (7865), BuckeyeGirl (4729)

Sections

  1. The Farmhouse Blog
  2. The Chickens in the Road Forum
  3. Farm Bell Recipes

Latest Posts on the Farmhouse Blog:

Sign up for the Chickens in the Road Newsletter, too!

Daily Farm

IMG_8184






If you would like to help support the overhead costs of this website, you may donate. Thank you!

Forum Buzz

Site Info

Privacy Policy, Disclosure, Disclaimer, and Terms of Use

Contact