Sorry everyone, I've only just seen this one. Aunty is right, I've been trawling the net for 7 weeks now, and I have not yet seen vaccines in small doses for very small flocks. Perhpas the vets do have them in smaller doses, but I don't like vets bills if I can help it!
The hatchery vaccinated the chicks for Mareks as soon as they were hatched. I asked them about vaccines against Newcastles and Salmonella, and they said as mine is such a small flock (300!) it wasn't worth it as the chances of them getting anything as long as they are looked after well is very slim, so its not worth buying vaccines in 1000 doses, which is what most of them are now. And my chooks will only be going to homes, not in a big commercial flock.
I have also spoken with a chap at Intervet, and he said that most of the parent stock of commercial birds are screened or tested for salmonella so it is unlikely that the chicks would have it, and again with good husbandry, they should be fine. However if I do want to vaccinate them. It'll cost me around £5-£10 for the Newcastles vaccine and about £50 for the Salmonella both of which I'd have to do twice. So we are still thinking about that one, as it would push the price of the birds up a bit.
I asked the lady when we bought our POL's in August if they wree fully accinated, and she said yes, but I've got no paperwork or anything to prove it, so just have to take her word for it.
But I must admit, I personally don't take much notice of all this salmonella in poultry, mad cow disease, swine fever etc etc. All these things have been around a lot longer than any of us, and we are still here. If things are cooked properly, and if people wash their hands and keep good husbandry with their animals well then.......