Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

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I am looking for some advice as we are new to this. The place we have decided to get our chickens from supply vaccinated free range hens, but they have not had the salmonella vaccine. Do we need to do this ourselves and if so, what do we buy?

 

Thank you

 

Rachel

[cockadoodle1]

According to merrydale poultry they should have three salmonella vaccines in their first 16 weeks see

www.merrydalepoultry.co.uk

I would buy from somewhere else

[Gem_Seb]

I dont think mine were ever vaccinated - is this something that can be done later? they are about a year old now... would i get this at the vets?

[Redwing]

Most pure breeds have not been vaccinated and hybrids from smaller scale breeders may not have either

 

The big hatcheries normally vaccinate against a range of things, most of these have to be carried out within days and sometimes hours of the birds hatching

 

Some vaccinations can be done later but they are normally supplied in such a high quantity of doses that to vaccinate one or two hens is just not cost effective sometimes, the vaccinations often have to be used within hours of being opened so the bottle cant really be used elsewhere afterwards

 

There is a lot of debate about mixing vaccinated and non vaccinated hens but I have done this with no problems so far

 

In short - many many hens out there havent had any vaccinations but are perfectly healthy and provide lovely eggs so I wouldnt get too hung up on it

 

The place you get them from in terms of cleanliness, upkeep, healthy looking hens runing about is more important than vaccinations IMHO

[Egluntyne]

I agree with all of Tasha's comments.

 

I have a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated hens and it has caused no problems so far.....and I havent't poisoned anyone. Yet.

[prof]

i also agree with both posts above. i had 2 vaccinated hybrids from omlet & when i came 2 get 2 more hens (orpingtons) from a local breeder recomended on here , i discovered that they werent vaccinated. i asked lots of people about this as i was concerened about whether it would be safe to eat the eggs . i was told that it makes no difference to the eggs, but is to simply stop the diseases transfering amongst the hens. this should not be a problem on small scales at all.

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Thank you for all of your advice. We have a very positive feeling about the supplier we are using so your comments have really helped.