Administering vaccine through the eyes...

[Zlorfik]

Alright, it took a while... a good while... for me to finally get my hands on some LT IVAX. I now I have two small bottles and two bottles of purple diluting solution in the fridge. Looking at these bottles, I can't wait... it'll be a blast... not. The kicker is, it took me so long to get my things together that half my flock is now 20 weeks old (that is right, l&g, 2-0) and the other half 7 weeks. So, common wisdom, grab 'em, put 'em in a cut feed bag, drop a drop, if they blink we're good. Ok, but let's backtrack. How do I mix the thing? What tools do I need? How long should I pray ahead of the ''session''? Ah, and, we have 7 guineas who should also be vaccinated - piece of cake, they LOVE being handled. Any good vids out there?

Thoughts?

[Killerbunny]

OK, this will not be as bad as you think it will. You should have a little plastic mixing critter which goes between the 2 vials. Also a dropper tip that goes into the mixed vial. You likely won't need the feedbag. I just leave mine shut in then in the am grab birds one at a time and drop in the eye. Really easy (LOL). No honestly, not that bad. You don't have to do turkeys do you? If not you're golden. Alternative suggestion pop around here and you can try on mine or WWWs birds.
I refuse to show my scars from the turkeys in public but one got me full claws across the abdomen, one in the nipple (not joking) and one across the face with a wing! Actually not bad for 4 years. Makes the chooks seem easy after.

[Ontario Chick]

I refuse to show my scars from the turkeys in public but one got me full claws across the abdomen, one in the nipple (not joking) and one across the face with a wing! Actually not bad for 4 years. Makes the chooks seem easy after.

Gill, I know you are a brave woman warrior, but you really need to dress first, before you do these things.

[Happy]

I refuse to show my scars from the turkeys in public but one got me full claws across the abdomen, one in the nipple (not joking) and one across the face with a wing! Actually not bad for 4 years. Makes the chooks seem easy after.

Gill, I know you are a brave woman warrior, but you really need to dress first, before you do these things.

Oh that was the best laugh I've had in AGES!

[windwalkingwolf]

If you didn't get a bottle with a screw-on dropper tip , you'll need one. It's like mixing hair dye, you just add the liquid to the powder stuff and shake it up. I've used the feedbag method, but find it takes too long...however, trying to eyedrop alone, in the daylight, with plus sized half-wild birds that are convinced you're trying to kill them, a feedsack is helpful if you don't have a second pair of hands. Chickens are REALLY easy once you get the hang of it!
It's easiest to do when they're cooped and it's dark. I blackout the windows so they don't run away, and use a headlamp. Wear old clothes!!! You can lay the bird down on a work bench, pin it with your forearm and use that hand to hold the birds' head, or what I find easiest, is to put a sturdy box on the floor next to the wall, squat down beside it with the victim, and pin it to the side of the box with the outside of my thigh. Then use one hand to hold the birds' head over on top of the box so he's looking mostly at the ceiling, and squirt in a drop with my other hand. Then turf the bird outside.
Once the vaccine is mixed, you have a limited time window to use it before it's no good, and I have a LOT of birds. I've found this to be the fastest way for me by far, but won't work if you can't squat down and get back up again easily.
After the first two or three chickens, you'll figure out what works best for you and it will go much faster. And, I agree with Killerbunny, chickens are SO easy compared to turkeys. They really need two pairs of hands, even if you use a feedsack. They're flighted birds and are crazy strong. I've got a couple that I can manhandle without needing stitches or losing an eye or dislocating my nose (again lol) but also a couple that would rather break every bone in their bodies, and a few in mine as well, rather than submit. They're convinced I'm trying to kill them, and they have decent night vision which doesn't help. By contrast, if I pin a chickens wings to it's body, they're like "oh, is it cuddle time? Well, ok then!" And they're done, easy peasy.
Muscovies are a nightmare to vaccinate, I've given up on them, even though they can theoretically be ILT carriers. I've never done a guinea, so can't really speak to that, but they're fairly small, perhaps a football hold might work? Are they night blind like chickens?

[Killerbunny]

If you don't have the dropper tip a small syringe will work if you don't have many birds.

[Zlorfik]

Thank you everyone, I think I got everything I need. Looks like our Friday night is set ! I can tell you for sure, back when I was a teen, THAT never came across my mind as a crazy Friday night party... ah well :)

[ross]

PS also I hear you should wear a sports bra lol .
You gals make an old mans day .

[Killerbunny]

Just think of me next friday am Ross when I have to catch 8 turkeys for the OPB show and sales!

[ross]

I do it best in "the dark" hehehe
Luck at the show & sale