Category: Marek’s

Are you concerned that when you buy chicks some might turn out to be roosters? Very disappointing, and in most cases the seller is not going to help you with your problem. You can buy from us with confidence because we breed several different breeds that are easily sexable as chicks, and I will stand behind that by replacing (if I have a suitable replacement pullet) or refunding your money.

We can do this because we use the genetics of chick down color to show the sex of each chick as it hatches. With the autosexing breeds, the difference is substantial, making them sexable as soon as they are hatched. Read about our guarantee here

There are details about each breed we raise in the links above. All chicks will be vaccinated for Marek’s. Please read our page on vaccinations for information about caring for vaccinated chicks. Only chickens get Marek’s, so ducks, turkeys, guineas and quail are not vaccinated.

We try to keep the availability page sort of up to date, but this is a challenge as some go quickly. There is also a waiting list I can add you too, but honestly this is difficult to keep up with as well.

Equipment and supplies to vaccinate chicks for Marek’s

This is a reference list for my use, but sharing it with others seems like a great idea as well.

Specialized equipment and supplies

Updated prices as of August 2024. These are the best prices I could find. With shipping considerations you might find some are cheaper at other places.

• Vaccinator gun $42.99 (need 1)
• Needles for injecting vaccine $9.99 for 100 needles (use at least 1 each time you vaccinate)
• Marek’s Vaccine $37.99 (vaccine doses for 1000 chicks, can divide into several uses)
• Needles for transferring diluent $9.99 for 100 needles
• 20 ML Syringe $18.99 – quantity 50. Get this size if you are vaccinating 100 chicks or fewer.
• 60 ML Syringe $18.99 – quantity 25. Get this size if you are vaccinating 300 chicks or fewer.

Other supplies

• small disposable plastic cups (for mixing partial dose vaccine). I have started using the empty vaccine vials.
• small tweezers (to section vaccine disk and pull 1 piece out)
• empty vaccine jar (or similar) with permanent rubber stopper (needed if you do partial doses)
• small pliers to remove sealing band from vaccine bottle
• Rubbing alcohol and cotton balls to sterilize the tops of the diluent bottles

Work area

• well lit and clean
• absorbent work surface (newspapers or paper towels)

Storage considerations

The vaccine comes with 2 parts:

• Diluent – 200ml glass bottle. Can be stored at room temperature, but I refrigerate it.
• The freeze dried wafer with the virus in a small glass bottle – Needs to be stored between 2 and 7 degrees C (35 – 45 degrees F)