Single hen

[xChicken04x]

Hiya, as some of you know we are getting some chickens soon, origanly we where getting some from our local farm which where:

2 frizzles

Ixworth

Translyvanian naked neck

Scots dumpy

Poland

 

but we didnt realise at the time they had such big age gaps such as the scots dumpy being 4-6 weeks and the Frizzle being 12, as first time chicken keepers we didnt want to take any chances with bullying, so instead we are getting 4/5 from a place called garden poultry and the 2 frizzles as they are simlar ages.

the ones at garden poultry are vaccinated but the frizzles are not. we phoned Garden poultry to ask when we collect our other chickens if we could bring the frizzles and if she would vaccinate them for us if we paid.

but she said there is no point in vaccinating pure breeds you would be wasting your money. is this true? Do they have a immunity to disease?

 

thanks for any replies!

xx

Edited July 27, 2007 by Guest

[The Dogmother]

I don't know why, but most breeders don't vaccinate their pure breeds, possibly because they're less likely to be kept in large flocks where disease would incubate and spread more easily.

 

Mine are all hardy and healthy.

 

Louise would know... I'll give her a nudge.

[xChicken04x]

Thanks for that! The lady did ask how many we are getting so we said "only two pure breeds" and she said "oh thats fine then."

hmmmmm isnt it annoying when you hang up the phone then realize you have more questions, then you are too embaressed to phone back....

[The Dogmother]

Just call back Hon.. avoid the doubt...

[xChicken04x]

I'll phone tomorrow, i think they close at 4:30, i phoned the vet before to ask but he was out and was supposed to ring back (tsk tsk) hopefully i'll hear from him tomorrow.

[AJuff]

I'd like to know the answer to your question as I'm picking up two new columbine hens tomorrow and although they're not a pure breed, they are not vaccinated either.

[xChicken04x]

The secetary (sp?) at the vets just phoned and said the vet is away so he wont be calling back for a few days

[Guest]

I had hybrids who were vaccinated - but they were from a poultry farm and had finished their 'useful life'. They always vaccinate the flocks as they are housed in great numbers, and often indoors - and as hybrids are prone to certain illnesses I was given to understand.

 

Pure breeds for a reputable breeder with good stock, are usually tough, and I think it might be because they are breeds that have 'not been messed about with'.

 

My new little flock of 6, had 8 week olds, a 12 week old and a 15 week old, and a tiny one that I think was 6 weeks old.

 

They are fine and get on well.

 

And no, they were not vaccinated nor the 2 pekins I adopted.

[xChicken04x]

Thanks for that!

Iam just a bit worried about Samonella do you think they would be ok?

[Guest]

So long as they are not pregnant and eat raw eggs

[Tara.F]

This is by no means an expert answer but I was given to understand that vaccination costs more than the (purely monetary) value of the bird unless you do a great number at once.

 

Breeders of pure breeds are more likely to have very small flocks and only allow a few select hens/cockerals to breed according to high 'show' standards.

Therefore, there are never sufficient numbers of chicks, all at the right age at the same time to make vaccination economically viable.

[Louise]

I think it s to do with flock density

 

Hybrids are produced to lay loads of eggs in the first year/two years and then be retired which will put a huge strain on the bird couple this with high density factory farming and a low level of disease among stressed birds you would have a massive outbreak of disease

 

The other issue is the cost

 

Most poultry vaccines are given in the water which means you have to do a large number to make it economically viable

 

Pure breeds are more likely to be kept by enthsiasts and hobby farmers who are not looking for large scale production which means less stressed birds and disease problems can be spotted before they become a serious issue

 

This said quite alot of respiratory disease seems to prevail with some small breeders as quite a few omleteers have reported snuffly birds as far as i know there haven't been any reports of worse

 

I haven't had my pure breeds vaccinated and have no no plan to do so

[The Dogmother]

Thanks for that explanation Louise.

[phenna_family]

Hi xChicken04x

 

where abouts in cheshire do you come from? as there is a place in Kingsley, Cheshire that sell chickens big and small, and I am sure they are all vaccinated before being sold. There name is Garden Poultry give them a ring or visit if you are close by, the lady who owns it Lisa is really really helpful.

 

http://www.gardenpoultry.cwc.net/

 

Lisa : 01928 787979

 

Hope this helps.

 

Good luck with your chickens

 

Claire

[xChicken04x]

Thankyou very much phenna_family- I live about a 40 minute journey from Garden Poultry and thats where we are getting them from! We are getting 4 (but iam pushing for 5) from there and 2 frizzles from a small farm down the road from us. Garden poultry's chickens come vaccinated againt 11 different things but the 2 frizzles are not

 

thanks agian i'll let you know what we decide.

xx