Mrs

[Troy]

Hi all

 

Have to ask. Are vaccinations a must when buying hybrids??

I know that most breeders of purebreeds don't usually do this but how important is it to vaccinate layers and is there a risk to us if they're not?

 

I ask because today we saw some birds for sale and were told that none of the hybrids (these were ISA browns)were vaccinated. Infact they looked at me as if I was mad for asking !

 

What say you !!

Troy

[puffball]

personally i think it's better to be safe than sorry - as for whether you need to i don't know just thought i'd give you my pennys worth

[Egg Lou]

Sorry can't offer advice however,I'm getting hybrids next week and they are all vacinated..indeed all the breeders/suppliers I spoke to vacinate all birds so did think all birds were done to be honest

[daj198]

I don't know if it is necessary, but most breeders do vaccinate however. Maybe you should look for another breeder if you're worried.

[jomaxsmith]

When I bought my hens I'm sure I was told that they had been vaccinated and I could therefore sell the eggs. If you plan to sell your surplus this could be a consideration

 

Jo

[superjules]

I'm really surprised that the hybrids you mention aren't vaccinated. As most hybrids have the potential to end up in intensive farming systems where the risk of any disease spreading has a massive monetary implications, I was under the impression all hybrids were vaccinated against everything. I think it's more for the chook's protection, rather than your own, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Most hobby breeders will not vaccinate their chooks. A full vaccination program is hugely expensive as the medicines are only available in such quantities as to vaccinate large numbers of birds, and they cannot be stored once prepared for use.

[Egluntyne]

The larger scale breeders do usually vaccinate, but the hobby breeders tend not to as it is horribly expensive, and the vaccines have to be bought on an industrial scale, making the whole thing just too expensive.

[Troy]

So was I Superjules. This wasnt a breeder. I was just wandering thru a local garden centre with the children today and came across several runs which housed a number of different breeds. There was one Araucauna a Favorelle sp? Orps, Pekins and some others. Then I saw in amongst the pekins 2 small isa browns which were 8-9 weeks old. I asked the staff if they were vaccinated and she gave me a definite no. I was a bit surprised so asked who the supplier was and she mentioned a Simon in Cambridge (Hatches them himself.)

There were a few on reserve and already sold and it didnt seem that important to the centre if they werent vaccinated by the supplier. The little Isas were lovely, curious and friendly and I was very, very tempted, what with a 15ft x 15ft run and a whopping big cube an' all.

But I really don't know if its risky or safe to eat these eggs ie would Salmonella then be a risk to humans??

We don't intend on selling any surplus but all our wonderful neighbours have given us a back order! Last thing I want to do is make them all ill !!

Does anyone know more about this vaccination thing?

 

Troy