New to Chickens - Have some questions

[GACHICK]

This is the most wonderful site! I just stumbled upon it last night. I'm of new to raising chickens and after reading some of the posts I have a few questions.

Where do you find an avian vet? My Black Sumatra rooster had a runny nose a few months ago, wasn't crowing, wasn't interacting, etc. I called vets from all over and no one "did" chickens or knew of anyone who did. I was directed to the University of Georgia but they wanted $600 to kill him in order to find out what was wrong. I bought a packet of Terramycin and gave him that. He recovered beautifully and is the most gorgeous bird I've ever seen.

If I wanted to hatch some chicks, can I buy Marek's vaccine and give to them myself?

I really do appreciate all of your wisdom and look forward to your replies. Thank you.

[Heidicat]

Yes you can do it yourself. You would have to buy it thru a catalog, if you can't find a vet that handles chickens. I found my vet, when I asked my large animal vet that was here giving my horses their shots. It is worth a try, to call around and see if a cattle/horse vet handles chickens.

I found in my health handbook, that you give the shot of vacc, in the nape of the neck of a newly hatched chick, you have to lift the skin up, then inject it. I think my McMurrays catalog had a mareks vacc. It also said, that the onetime vacc, is lifelong; do not expose the vaccinated chicks to infection until immunity developes within 7 days; not all vaccines are effective against all six strains of Mareks virus.

(IF) your hen has Mareks, and you are not breeding for resistance, you would need to cull the affected bird. Some, if they have the feather follicles disease, survive on their own, but then become carriers.

I hope I helped even just a little bit, they man to ask would be JamesC, he is the best man for the job! Truely a WEALTH of knowledge. :wink:

[GACHICK]

Thank you once again, Heidi! You have a good bit of knowledge yourself. I plan on hatching some eggs so I'll check into the Marek's vaccine. Hope all is well in your coop :D

[newbrunswick]

GACHICK, you can get avary netting at the feed store - I'vee seen it at lumber/garden stores too. I've even seen it at Walmart - so it appears to be readily available. Welcome, we love seeing pictures too!