quick questions to anyone who keeps chickens-or knows anyone who does!

weezl74

Hi there, please can you help with this money-saving vs healthy-eating related question

I wonder if any of you know the legal position on keeping chickens for the eggs and not having them vaccinated against salmonella enterides.

Is it something we are allowed to do here in the uk?

Does anyone have experience of rearing the chickens without the vaccination and what were your experiences?

Has anyone in the family been unwell with salmonella type tummy bugs?

If you did have your chooks vaccinated please can you tell me if this was done while they were still at the place you bought them from ie they are ex-battery, or if you went to a specialist vet.

If you did go to a specialist vet, please can you say how much the injections cost you per chicken and also whether you were advised to not eat the eggs for a certain period of time after the jabs.

Many many thanks to anyone who is willing to answer these questions! The things we do to save money Eh? :rotfl:

Love weezl x

83rachel

weezl74 wrote: »

Hi there, please can you help with this money-saving vs healthy-eating related question

I wonder if any of you know the legal position on keeping chickens for the eggs and not having them vaccinated against salmonella enterides.

when you buy chickens they will be vaccinated, if they are not don't buy them

Is it something we are allowed to do here in the uk?

you are allowed to keep a small number of chickens without registering with defra (less than 49 birds). the allotment act lets you have them unless
A) you have more than 49 birds
you sell them (you can sell from your house)
C) you have a local by law or clause in your deeds/tennancy preventing this.

Does anyone have experience of rearing the chickens without the vaccination and what were your experiences?

I havent met anyone who dosent have vaccinated birds, it would be irrisponsible

Has anyone in the family been unwell with salmonella type tummy bugs?

If you did have your chooks vaccinated please can you tell me if this was done while they were still at the place you bought them from ie they are ex-battery, or if you went to a specialist vet.

If they are ex battery they will be already vaccinated as they have contributed to the food chain.

most vets who deal with poultry will vaccinate if your birds are not (ie if you have breed them yourself and not brought them)

If you did go to a specialist vet, please can you say how much the injections cost you per chicken and also whether you were advised to not eat the eggs for a certain period of time after the jabs.

I havent experienced this but they are vaccinated before they are at POL (point of lay) as far as i know

Many many thanks to anyone who is willing to answer these questions! The things we do to save money Eh? :rotfl:

Love weezl x

This is just my experience please do your own research aswell. I have never brought a chicken that is not vaccinated and never would. always go to a registered breeder. and most of all have fun, keeping chickens is addictive. i found the housing to be the most expensive bit to be honest.

weezl74

83rachel wrote: »

This is just my experience please do your own research aswell. I have never brought a chicken that is not vaccinated and never would. always go to a registered breeder. and most of all have fun, keeping chickens is addictive. i found the housing to be the most expensive bit to be honest.

thank you Rachel for your thoughtful, considered response, that's very useful to me.

sorry I'm being a bit dumb about your second point here:o is it that it's only illegal to keep unvaccinated chickens once you go above the DEFRA threshold, or is it illegal to have any unvaccinated chickens, or is it not illegal, but just inadvisable?

Thanks if you're willing to chip in again with all my many questions

jackieglasgow

Sorry to butt in, just wanted to say congrats on baby number2, weezl, it's not just keeping chickens that's addictive is it? I try and read your new thread, but it advances at such a rate I sometimes am pages behind.

83rachel

it's illegal to eat the eggs or sell them if the chicken is not vaccinated. it is also illegal to actually eat the chicken if it isnt vaccinated. (this is according to egg marketing in scotland, i dont know if this changes in england)

I would advise you to vaccinate your chickens if there not already vaccinated, if you buy them from a breeder they will be vaccinated but make sure you ask.

I have some telephone numbers wich will help you alot. when i was researching my chickens i called them and they were really helpfull.
DEFRA 08459335577
Poultry register 08006341112
Egg markiting inspector (this is my local number but they will give you your local number) 01132300100
I hope this helps you, i love keeping chickens, its not just healthy but its great for your mental health aswell, it encorages you outside, its a good educational tool and most of all its highly addictive,there are a number of forums aswell that you could find usefull.

https://www.thepoultrykeeper.co.uk is one, i will get the url of the others for you if you need more help.