Very interesting. I'll watch closely. I have never vaccinated my chickens in 15+ years.

Luke

I'm with Luke,

I raise my ducks and rabbits organiclly, almost ten years. I'd also like to hear what others say.

Eric
Do not meddle with the forces of nature, for you are small, insignificant,and boidegradable.

I am with you both....... I have never vaccinated chickens, ducks, turkeys, pheasant..and I have them all......and they all free range in the same acreage.... I do however, vaccinate my goats, sheep , cow and horse selectively based on the fact that they never leave the farm so can only be exposed to things brought in by other animals or insects....but it seems that last year, at first sign of below freezing temps, I lost a chicken every two weeks or so from some respiratory looking thing..... I studied up on what I could do for treatment and this year, I have had good luck knocking it out of the two that appeared to have it so far....but I have still lost three with no appearance of illness, just found dead in the morning in the coop.......no sign of predator or injury.....just dead..... I try with all my might to keep all my pets as natural as possible...... everyone gets to free range... every one has somewhere to be closed up at night away from predators.... everyone gets natural probiotics and wormers, except once a year and I do my own fecal floats and only treat if there is an infestation...... so I understand not having any input and I understand wanting to keep it all natural, but with 80+ chickens that I love like kids, I want them to have whatever will keep them healthy and happy.... so anyone else have any real input? Please

How are your chickens doing?

Luke

I too do not vaccinate, but I do put ivomac on them every few months. Just a drop on the neck and then a drop at the beggining of the tail feathers.

Never heard of it before.

Well, I have not lost any more to date.... I lost two early in this season , who appeared perfectly healthy at night and were dead by morning.... no sigh of attack or predator, just lying the the corner of the coop dead..... in these, I did not recognize any symptoms of respiratory stress. My turkeys had a bout with a sinus thing where their faces were swollen , I immediately thought, OMG Coryza !!.....but none of the other signs of that so I treated with Tylan as nasal wash and injection.....all is well now.... I have never used Ivomec for the chickens... I use DE for their lice and mite control.... I worm with natural wormers .... but I had to ask to see what others did since USDA and local Ag ext lists a few vaccinations for chickens..... thanks to all who responded. I guess I will just go on the way I am and pray my losses are minimal.

Well, I have not lost any more to date.... I lost two early in this season , who appeared perfectly healthy at night and were dead by morning.... no sigh of attack or predator, just lying the the corner of the coop dead..... in these, I did not recognize any symptoms of respiratory stress. My turkeys had a bout with a sinus thing where their faces were swollen , I immediately thought, OMG Coryza !!.....but none of the other signs of that so I treated with Tylan as nasal wash and injection.....all is well now.... I have never used Ivomec for the chickens... I use DE for their lice and mite control.... I worm with natural wormers .... but I had to ask to see what others did since USDA and local Ag ext lists a few vaccinations for chickens..... thanks to all who responded. I guess I will just go on the way I am and pray my losses are minimal.

hi everyone
do you have to vaccinate chickens if your going to sell the eggs?

I never do vaccinations or even medicated feed. I had used medicated feed years ago, and the second time I used it I withdrew it too quickly and a lot of the young ones died. Now we don't do any of that. I hatch my own replacement flocks, and haven't (knock on wood) had any disease problems. I did run into problems early on as I had gotten adult chickens from neighbors I didn't know (and didn't inspect the birds beforehand- they were loaded with ALL sorts of disease, parasites, you name it- they also came from a filthy farm- they were delivered so I didn't get to check out their accomodations). After those died, I got new ones from a hatchery, didn't have them vaccinated either. We let our birds free range on grass, and that keeps them happy and healthy. I've only had problems with my animals when I don't let them out to range on grass, bugs, etc. That is when they'll get sick, even if you vaccinate, in my opinion. Also have to make sure their food is good too, vitamin deficiencies will contribute to disease quicker than anything. Same goes with plants and people too, lol!

From the little I know about Mareks disease, I do believe they have to be vaccinated as chicks, not sure about boosters and all that. But, healthy living conditions will keep them more free from disease than just vaccinations.

Last year we lost a couple chickens suddenly and without symptoms. We also had two that went lame in one leg but otherwise seemed ok (one is still living and hobbling around)

Someone told me it was probably Marek's and the only way they could have caught it was from wild birds. Supposedly it is commonly spread through the wild population (?)

Anyway to be on the safe side I have not taken the chickens to fairs or other farms, etc. nor have I sold or given any away. When ordering replacement chicks this spring I had them all vaccinated for Marek's but my understanding is they could still be carriers. My girls were disappointed to not be able to take any to the fair next month. We are not sure we have Marek's but would not want to risk spreading it to the unsuspecting.