Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

We're getting some white rock day olds on Tuesday, and they apparently all come vaccinated against Marek's. We already have some Silkies, some Easter Eggers, some mixed layers and a few other miscellaneous breeds, none of which have been vaccinated. The white rocks will have their own pen, but that pen is in the same barn as the rest of the flock pens. How big a danger is this to our existing flock? Will the white rocks shed the virus and infect my other birds? I've read the actual virus is so contagious that if you have a bird that has had it, you should change your clothing and footwear and disinfect yourself before interacting with any birds that have not had it or been vaccinated. I love my little Silkies, and would be pretty upset if those ugly old white rocks made my fuzz balls sick.

As far as i know all the marek's vaccines in canada are shedding vaccines.

Yes it is a live attenuated virus. Hopefully your current birds are already resistant. You need to check out the risk before accepting the chicks.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/tth ... dangerous/

This article I read last year some time but kept it and have explored some of the aspect noted in it.

I will not bring in hatchery birds anymore because of the vaccine now that I have non hatchery birds it's just not an option. I considered white rock/franken chickens but they would go to a friends place locally, but I wouldn't put them here with my flock. Too dangerous. Just my thoughts :)

Wow, had no idea this was a possibility. Seems like they should post warnings on their sites? Anyway, can you vaccinate your existing flock first? Do we have access to the vaccines to do this?

I can source a few vaccines, not sure if mareks is one of them. I wonder if you can get them on farmers Farmacy?

If they advertised / put up notices I bet sales would drop or they'd be enindated with phone calls. Consumers responsibility.

Maximus wrote:QR_BBPOST I can source a few vaccines, not sure if mareks is one of them. I wonder if you can get them on farmers Farmacy?

If they advertised / put up notices I bet sales would drop or they'd be enindated with phone calls. Consumers responsibility.[/quote

Maximus wrote:QR_BBPOST I can source a few vaccines, not sure if mareks is one of them. I wonder if you can get them on farmers Farmacy?

Not listed on their site. Do they have more stock not listed generally?

I'm not sure. I'm new to them. Maybe worth a phone call?

I wonder if you can buy from a livestock vet?

I know around here there is a vet that sells it but it is in a lot of 1000 doses so you end up with a lot you don't need.