Chickabee Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 Asked breeder if his pullets were vaccinated, this was his response : Maldon, No not vaccinated so they don't hide any carried diseases. Received: 5 hours ago Suffice to say, I am no longer interested in his hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Generally speaking, only commercial breeders vaccinate their hens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 What I didn't understand was hay is said they're not vaccinated so not to hide any diseases. I realise that not all hens are vaccinated, some of mine aren't. Is what he said true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoachedPlease Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Maybe he is one of those breeders who aim for their stock to be stronger by having a natural immunity. That does sound sensible. He prob didn't explain it well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I've never bothered as most of mine are home hatched by someone I know. Vaccination is not really an issue if you have garden chickens. It's only really an issue for large commercial flocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Thank you. I feel better about it now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 The reply makes perfect sense (honest!) and is the sign of a good breeder of pure bred birds The aim is to strive for the strongest naturally healthy flock possible If you don't vaccinate (and virtually no pure bred breeders do) you see any illnesses that manifest and you cull those birds out and not breed from them. Over time your flock will get stronger with less illness That way you know that your birds when they go to new homes have the best chance If you vaccinate and sell a bird which underneath is a carrier (and not all are) then that may be a threat to unvaccinated birds in the new home Many European countries vaccinate their stock and I know of a breeder that bought in a cockerel from Germany that he didnot know was vaccinated. He had been breeding show quality birds for decades yet six months later did not have a single bird I myself have had costly and disappointing tangles with vaccinated birds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 This thread has been very interesting as I also thought a sign of a good breeder would be if birds were vaccinated and I have been put off getting new chickens if breeder didn't vaccinate leaving my classic empty.Perhaps I shouldn't be too fussy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 I agree grandmashazzie. I was shocked at his response at first, think it seemed a bit blunt. Glad I know more now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I think we are all conditioned to think that vaccination is good and the responsible thing to do In a commercial setting I cansee why hens are vaccinated, hybrids aren't the most thrifty of birds anyway and combine that with living at close quarters with ten or more thousand other birds not to mention the financial implications of a whole barn of hens that are sick you can see the logic For your average pure bred hen or back garden hen that has more spave, more individual attention, a better immune system and a much longer healthier life there is no need for vaccinations There are some pure breeds that are prone to Mareks and some breeders will vaccinate against that but even then the majority won't If anyone reading this is intent on buying vaccinated birds my advice is to ask what the breeders stock is vaccinated against and at what stage of the birds life this was done. There are breeders who will happily tell people anything they want to hear to get a sale. A large scale breeder I know of sells birds as guaranteed vaccinated yet buys many in from breeders who don't vaccinate and most (not all) vaccinations (and there are several - there is no general one) need to be done when the chick is days old. Vaccinating is expensive too so always be suspicious if a small scale breeder says they have vaccinated. Ask questions - they should know exactly what the vaccination was and when it was given Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I agree grandmashazzie. I was shocked at his response at first, think it seemed a bit blunt. Glad I know more now. Ahhhh the blunt breeders are the best lol they probably speak more to their birds than they do to other humans they say poultry showing is social too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 think I'll avoid that then redwing. I'm a proper woos. I'll stick to the novice stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 This was very interesting, I have ex commercial girls and only ever intend to have them not posh girls I am afraid and my girls have been vaccinated but this was a really good thread full of some great info. Thanks redwing x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I don't vaccinate any of my birds either leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 and some breeders don't vaccinate to ensure purity in the bloodline of the bird! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickabee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Thinking about it, this has made my day. I might be putting some fertilized eggs under my silkie in the spring. Didn't even consider vaccinating.. I know silkies are prone to mareks, but they won't be silkie eggs Think I might email that breeder back just to say thanks for his reply and I might consider buying from him in the future. Chez Sonya is full at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
