Green original cube and walk-in run for sale

[Yolky]

I know Omlet hens are vaccinated but from some breeders they are not. There is a lovely place by me that sells chickens. We went there for a look the other day as we are considering three chooks (getting 2 from omlet but would like the third to look different so thinking of a silver link poss) anyway the chickens are all free ranging in the fields. They all look very healthy and happy, their accomodation is clean and not smelly but they aren't vaccinated against anything.

 

The eggs will be eaten by all of us including my three young children. Is it important to have hens that are vaccinated?

[Gamebird]

To be honest I don't know as I'm not a very experienced chicken owner.

 

That said, I personally would not take the risk, but that's just my feelings.

 

There maybe someone who knows more to give you reassurance.

[Gallina]

All my hens so far have arrived vaccinated, but I won't be able to afford to get my chicks done (if they hatch). But there will be no diseased hens near them, so they shouldn't catch anything.

 

If I bought unvaccinated hens from someone else, I would keep them in quarantine for a couple of weeks just in case they were harbouring any problems.

[Nature Chick]

Hi there

I don't know from an egg-eating point of view but I think you want your girls vaccinated from things like Marex Disease which my vet warned me about - sounds awful and will be fatal to your whole flock. In my limited experience there is enough to worry about with crops, eggs, poos, lice, worms etc. without worrying about horrendous conditions that can be vaccinated against.

I hope that someone else may know more!

 

Good luck with your girls when they arrive!

[Egluntyne]

Is it worth asking a local breeder to sell you mini portions of the vaccines?

 

Whenever I have allowed myself to fantasise about hatching my own hens, this is one of the "againsts" that Prudence whispers in my ear.

[The Dogmother]

Usually, hens that are reared where there are a lot of other chooks are usually vaccinated - this is from a cost point of view. Also, hybrids, who are usually bred to be kept in larger egg laying flocks are vaccinated. Pure breeds usually aren't for the reasons above.

 

None of mine have been vaccinated and are all healthy. I am always careful though to quarantine any new stock.

[bronze]

Same as Clare

[WitchHazel]

The problem for many breeders is that the vaccines are sold in such huge (and I mean HUGE)quantities that it's difficult for them to justify the cost. Places that havea turnover of thousands of hens can justify it and are able to pass the cost on to their customers.

 

When I first bought chickens, having ones which were vaccinated was high on my list of priorities. However, I now know a bit more about it and, after having a very enlightening conversation iwth my chicken-expert vet, i'm now happy to buy from breeders who don't vaccinate, provided I am happy with the way they keep their birds.

 

One of my first Girls, Lydia, , came from a reputable breeder and was vaccinated, but she still died. The Vet told me that when chicks are vaccinated, it's very likely that a few per several hundred will not actually get the vaccination, and a few more drink it but it doesn/t "take" in their bodies. it's bad luck if your hen happens to fall into those categories.

 

 

For this reason, I wold always take the precaution of keeping the newbies separate from the existing gang for a few days to make sure they appear healthy.

 

Hope that helps

Edited July 9, 2008 by Guest

[jools+6]

i know our chickens are not vaccinated against salmonella but apparently there has never been a case of the disease in blackrocks in this country so they aren't vaccinated against this . as the blackrocks all come from one hatchery (in muirfield , scotland ) and are sent out to growers to grow and sell on they must all be the same .