Preventative Health Care
In our best effort to protect the chickens here at SeaBreeze Hens from common problems affecting backyard chickens in Texas we implement the following preventative health measures to ensure a long, healthy life for your birds.
Ivermectin
All pullets are given Ivermectin (via drinking water) around the 15th of each month beginning at about 4 weeks of age. Since Ivermectin is not soluble in water, it is much more effective if it is diluted in propylene glycol before adding it to water.
Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic that was originally developed for parasite control in humans.
Ivermectin helps eliminate intestinal worms as well as any external parasites such as mites or lice.
Here on the Gulf Coast, mites and intestinal worms seem to have some of the most detrimental effects on the health of backyard chickens. I recommend treatment with Ivermectin monthly for all growing pullets and at least quarterly for laying hens.
A chicken infested with mites can die within 3 days!
Your chickens may have intestinal worms even if you can't see worms in their droppings. Most intestinal worms are too small to see.
Mareks Vaccine
All chicks are vaccinated for Marek's disease within 48 hours of hatching (1 day old or younger)
Marek's disease is a Herpes virus infection of chickens. The disease is highly contagious and readily transmitted among chickens.
Marek’s disease is one of the most ubiquitous avian infections; it is identified in chicken flocks worldwide. Every flock, except for those maintained under strict pathogen-free conditions, is presumed to be infected.
Coccidiosis Vaccine
All chicks are vaccinated for coccidiosis at 5 to 7 days of age.
Coccidiosis bacteria are everywhere. There are many different strains and the birds can be challenged by different strains during different times of their life. Vaccinating chicks instead of feeding them medicated food makes them more capable of defending against coccidiosis. The vaccine that we use (Coccivac -D2) protects against all 8 species of coccidiosis important to laying chickens.
If you pick your chicks up before 5 days of age, you can choose to have your chicks vaccinated your chicks for coccidiosis for a $20 fee.
To maintain the protection of the coccidiosis vaccine, a non-medicated chick starter must be used. We use and sell Purina Flock Raiser 20% protein for our pullets. Medicated feed for chicks won't hurt them but it will negate the benefits of the coccidiosis vaccine.
Fowl Pox with Pigeon Pox and AE Vaccine
All chicks are vaccinated for Fowl Pox with Pigeon Pox and Avian Encephalomyelitis at 6 weeks of age.
Fowlpox is a slow-spreading viral infection of chickens and turkeys characterized by spreading sores in the skin that progress to thick scabs and by sores in the upper GI and respiratory tracts. Virulent strains may cause lesions in the internal organs. Fowlpox is seen worldwide.
If you pick your chicks up before they are vaccinated for fowl pox, you can bring your chicks back for $1 each vaccination on any of SeaBreeze Hens vaccination days. Fowl Pox vaccinations must be scheduled because the entire contents of the vaccine must be used within a few hours of opening. Optionally, schedule a vaccination appointment at https://seabreezehens.setmore.com/. The $25 fee includes the cost of the vaccine plus vaccinating up to 25 chickens. Chickens should be vaccinated between 4 to 8 weeks of age but can be vaccinated anytime before they start laying (after 4 weeks of age). Please keep in mind that it is possible but very rare that a chicken can have an adverse reaction (including death) to the fowlpox vaccination.
​
SeaBreeze Hens Customer Fowl Pox Vaccination Days are generally scheduled the first Saturday of each month during our open hours
Upcoming Fowl Pox Vaccination Days:
June 1 9 am to 12 pm
July 13. 10 am to 2 pm
August 3 10 am to 2 pm
​
​
​
​