Vaccination for Chicken

What exactly is vaccination?

Vaccination is the process of introducing antigenic compounds or vaccines into the body to create immunity to a certain illness. In other words, vaccinations are administered to poultry birds to prevent them from many forms of chicken illnesses. Vaccines serve varied functions and are often limited to a single type of disease. It is also an efficient method of preventing and reducing the negative effects of numerous diseases that may be a concern in the poultry farm.

Vaccination aids in the management of disease transmission and outbreaks within the flock. Thus, effective cleanliness and sanitation practices in the poultry farm, together with optimal vaccination scheduling, can help to get the most out of your flock. Birds will become more prolific, healthier, and considerably safer for human consumption as a result.

Poultry bird illnesses can take many forms and be of numerous types. They also have an impact on layers and broilers at all stages of growth and maturity. Chicken infections caused by viruses, fungi, bacteria, or protozoa typically spread swiftly on farms, with consequences ranging from minor to severe. As a result, there is a need to vaccinate hens against a variety of common illnesses using a suitable Broiler and Layer Chicken Vaccination schedule.

Is it necessary to vaccinate broilers and layer chickens?

Vaccines are critical in all types of poultry farming. As a chicken farmer, it is critical to vaccinate your whole flock to avoid losing them to illnesses or limiting farm output. When immunizations are administered appropriately to hens, they develop strong protective antibodies against agricultural illnesses. In other words, birds develop immunity that renders them resistant to the illnesses against which they have been immunized.

This immunization will continue to protect children as they reach adulthood and throughout their productive years. But keep in mind that, as vital as immunization is, it works in tandem with; On the farm, proper hygiene and sanitation procedures are essential. As well as appropriate biosecurity and management methods. When you follow all of these agricultural practices correctly, your poultry farm's productivity will grow.

What kinds of immunizations do we provide to layers and broilers?

A vaccination regimen for every flock may be built around two fundamental concepts. The first is based on the poultry farm's requirements. Second, it might be because of a disease that is common in the area where your farm is located.

The type of poultry diseases that are common in a region with a farm history tells the best vaccination schedule to follow. Vaccines are typically produced in big quantities for commercial usage by corporations that sell them. As a result, it is much easier to vaccinate a large number of birds at once. Broiler and Layer Chicken Vaccination are available in liquid, dry, and frozen forms.

Vaccines are now available for a variety of severe illnesses that afflict layers and broilers, allowing them to be effectively managed. Though these vaccinations may not provide a complete cure for the illnesses, they do boost avian resistance to them.

The most prevalent are:

1. Marek's Disease (MD):

Marek illness is a relatively frequent herpes virus infection that is very infectious. This condition is often referred to as fowl paralysis. Chicks infected with this virulent virus nearly never recover. This sickness is airborne, and affected chicks carry the virus for life. As a result, it spreads quickly throughout the coop, causing cancer, tumors, and paralysis in poultry. Young birds are the most vulnerable to infection with Marek's disease.

As a result, you must provide the Marek's disease vaccination to the newborn chicks in the hatchery on the day they hatch. To deliver this vaccination, inject the chicks under the skin on the back of the neck. Because the vaccine is rarely supplied in tiny quantities, it is difficult to get for small-scale flocks.

It is thus preferable to purchase previously vaccinated chicks from reputable commercial suppliers. Keep in mind that the vaccination will only prevent the tumors and paralysis caused by Marek's disease. In other words, the birds can still be afflicted and spread the disease through shedding around the farm. The best way to prevent Marek's disease is to practice proper cleanliness, biosecurity, and immunization.

2. Infectious bursitis (IB):

Gumboro disease, infected bursitis, and infectious avian nephrosis are all names for this condition. It is a very infectious viral illness that kills young chickens severely. Infectious bursal disease viruses (IBDV) are extremely durable organisms that may thrive in a variety of settings. As a result, once they have spread, they are difficult to disinfect on the farm. Watery diarrhea, weight loss, sadness, and dehydration are some of the symptoms displayed by affected hens.

The virus is transmitted into the body by ingestion via the oral or fecal route. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the condition, although IBD vaccinations can help birds develop antibodies to the virus.

When is the best time to vaccinate chickens?

Vaccines work by stimulating the immune systems of birds, causing them to create antibodies. These antibodies are in charge of combating foreign substances and invading organisms that cause sickness. Chickens must also be dewormed and fed antibiotics and vitamins to maintain a healthy immune system. Here is a nice Broiler and Layer Chicken Vaccination schedule that shows when birds should be vaccinated.

Vaccination schedule for broiler chickens:

Age	Medication	Method of Route
At the hatchery	(MD) vaccines	I/M into the back of the neck.
Day 1	I/O vaccines+Vitamins+Glucose	Drinking water (DW)
Day 1	IB vaccines	Beak dip.
Day 3	Antibiotics+Vitamins.	Drinking water
Day 7	Coccidiostat	Water consumption
Day 9	1st IBD vaccine	Intraocular eye drop/ Drinking water.
Day 12	(ND) vaccines	Drinking water
Day 14	Coccidiostat	Drinking water
Day 16	2nd  IBD vaccine	Drinking water
Day 18	Fowlpox	Wing web stab
Day 28	Dewormer	Drinking water

Vaccination schedule for layers

Day	Medication	Method of Route
At the hatchery	(MD) vaccines	I/M into the back of the neck.
Day 1	Vitamins+Glucose	Drinking Water
Day 4	Antibiotics+Vitamins.	Drinking water
Day 7	Coccidiostat	Water consumption
Day 9	ND	Drinking Water
Day 12	1st IBD	Eye drop/Drinking water
Day 14	IB (Gumboro)	Drinking water
Day 16	Coccidiostat	Drinking water
Day 17	Fowlpox	Wing web stab
Day 26	Vitamins	Drinking water/Feed
Day 28	2nd  IBD/Gumboro	Drinking water
Day 30	Deworming	Drinking water/Feed
Week 4	2nd ND	Drinking water, I/O
Week 4	2nd IB	Drinking water
Week 8	AE) vaccine	Wing web
Week 9	1st Infectious coryza	Intramuscular
Week 10	3rd ND. (Komarov strain)	Intramuscular
Week 12	Fowlpox	Wing web
Week 12	2nd infectious coryza	Intramuscular
Week 12	3rd IB	Drinking water
Week 16	Laryngotracheitis	I/O eye drop/spray
Week 17	3 in-one vaccine for egg drop syndrome IB, and ND.	Intramuscular

How frequently should chickens be immunized?

As stated in the schedules above, revaccinating birds at the proper time is critical. This is to guarantee that hens' immune systems are adequately protected against the virus. That is, vaccinations perform miracles, but only when used correctly do they shine.

Is it possible for vaccinated broiler and layer hens to get a disease?

Vaccines are created from the virus to treat it. If applied incorrectly or mismanaged, it has the potential to cause a farm fire. There have also been situations where the illness has shown itself despite partial immunization. As a result, always establish a regular routine and keep your farm hygiene and biosecurity in good working order.

 

Reference source: https://www.poultry.care/blog/the-broiler-and-layer-chicken-vaccination-schedule