Author Topic: can anyone give me some tips?  (Read 16473 times)

greeneggsandham

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can anyone give me some tips?
« on: April 23, 2011, 10:08:57 AM »
I\'m going to vaccinate my chicks for Mareks.  Haven\'t done it before and I am just sure I\'m going to kill one by sticking a needle in its neck.  I tried the other day to see if there was enough loose skin about the neck to make this possible and I just don\'t see it folks.  Are there any tricks to the trade to make this as painless for me as the chicks?  Appreciate it.
Sharon
Hubby rues the day he brought the chicks home...

Mike Gilbert

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can anyone give me some tips?
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2011, 01:02:57 PM »
Bunch the skin of the back of the chicks neck up between your forefinger and thumb of one hand, and slide the needle
under the skin with the other.   Insert the needle nearly parallel with the skin, don\'t go straight in at a 90 degree angle.
It\'s easy once you have done a few.

faith valley

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« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2011, 01:33:16 PM »
Here is a wonderful photo article by K J at Shag Bark Bantams.  It was really helpful for me- first year vaccinating for Merek\'s as well.

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/mdvac.htm

Patty

greeneggsandham

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« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2011, 02:26:25 PM »
Thank you all very much for your advice.  I like that site Patty.  The alcohol swab sounds like a great idea for seeing the skin.
And, thank you Jean for your response.  Now I just need to get a smaller needle.   :D
Sharon
Hubby rues the day he brought the chicks home...

greeneggsandham

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can anyone give me some tips?
« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2011, 02:45:54 PM »
Well, I can\'t find any 25 ga needles locally.  I checked Walmart and Walgreens and feed stores.  The smallest I have is 22 ga.  Is that too big?  Will it work?
Sharon
Hubby rues the day he brought the chicks home...

faith valley

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« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2011, 04:40:57 PM »
You could go the the Walmart pharmacy and purchase a 10 pack of  1 cc diabetic needles. They work wonderfully.

Mike Gilbert

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« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2011, 04:52:19 PM »
When I order vaccine from First State Vet Supply they send the needles along gratis.   Also, I usually disinfect the needles with alcohol, rinse with water, and reuse them.   I think I now have a lifetime supply.

John

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« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2011, 05:16:35 PM »
I get 20 gauge, 1/2 \" needles from Cutler\'s that work great.
http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_76&products_id=424

greeneggsandham

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can anyone give me some tips?
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2011, 08:07:49 PM »
Quote from: faith valley
You could go the the Walmart pharmacy and purchase a 10 pack of  1 cc diabetic needles. They work wonderfully.


Well, I called Walmart and they didn\'t have 25 ga, they had smaller sizes.  I was told by Jean, who heard it from her vet, not to go smaller than 25 ga or the virus will be broken up when it passes through the needle.  So, if John uses 20 ga, I imagine my 22 ga won\'t be too large for the chicks.  
Sharon
Hubby rues the day he brought the chicks home...

John

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« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2011, 09:26:19 PM »
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_gauge_comparison_chart
Quote
Smaller gauge numbers indicate larger outer diameters. Inner diameter depends on both gauge and wall thickness.

Jean

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can anyone give me some tips?
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2011, 06:17:11 AM »
Quote from: John
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needle_gauge_comparison_chart
Quote
Smaller gauge numbers indicate larger outer diameters. Inner diameter depends on both gauge and wall thickness.


I think she was referring to the size of needles that Walmart had available.  
Jean

Beth C

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« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2011, 08:41:44 AM »
Jeffers has 25 gauge 5/8 inch , but I\'ve been using a 22 gauge with no problem.

But I am curious about the vaccine breaking down in smaller needles - haven\'t heard that before.

Jean

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« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2011, 11:01:32 AM »
With the diameter of the needle being smaller than 25 guage the pressure of going through the \"hole\" will shred the virus and make it of no use.

I talked to a vet at Fort Dodge regarding what size needles were appropriate because the vaccine literature suggests using 22 or 20 guage needles.

I find the bigger needles leave a huge hole in the bird and the vaccine can leak out.
Jean

Mike Gilbert

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« Reply #13 on: April 24, 2011, 03:28:15 PM »
I have had very good results using the 25 gauge needles that First State Vet Supply sends with the vaccine.  

Beth C

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« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2011, 09:12:17 AM »
Mike: Just bookmarked First State - that\'s a great site! Their price on Marek\'s is slightly higher than Jeffers, but the free needles & cheaper shipping more than make up the difference - not to mention they actually HAVE the vaccine.

Jean: That\'s really interesting! I\'d never heard that. But then, never really had cause to use a needle that small until recently, either. Vaccinating day-old poultry is a big change from horses/goats! :p