VACCINATION SCHEDULES
When preparing a vaccination program for chickens to protect against diseases, there are six main aspects that you need to understand and consider. These are as follows:
1. Chicks hatched together:
If you have more than one batch of chicks hatching,
Establish a vaccination program that will reduce the likelihood of diseases spreading on the farm. Therefore,
Make sure all chicks and hens are vaccinated together.
2. Age for vaccinating chickens :
For chickens that are expected to lay eggs or be breeding hens, vaccination
Most vaccines are given no more than one month before the hens start laying. There are also some vaccines that are not allowed for young hens. (See Schedule).
3. Important diseases in the area:
It is very important to understand the chicken diseases present in your area before developing a vaccination program, especially for those diseases for which vaccines are available.
Live vaccines are used. Therefore, it is not wise to start using this type of vaccine in areas where
The disease has never been reported.
4. Health status of chickens to be vaccinated:
Do not vaccinate chickens that are showing signs of respiratory distress or showing signs of worms or other parasites. In chickens with these symptoms, the vaccine may be harmful and may not work.
5. Type of chickens to be vaccinated:
Chickens raised for meat require short-term protection, so a single vaccination may be sufficient before they reach marketable age. But laying hens and breeders require a vaccination program that will protect them from disease throughout their growing and laying period. (Consider the Schedule).
6. History of Diseases in the Farm:
Before you develop a vaccination plan, you must understand what
What diseases are prevalent in the farm?
a) If you want to import new chickens from an area where the disease has previously occurred,
The chickens should be vaccinated 3 weeks before being brought into the farm.
b) If you are going to use a live vaccine, make sure that the diseases have been previously
occur in the field. Do not use these vaccines in fields where the disease is present.
has never occurred or been recognized.
c) Contact neighboring farms to find out if they use live-virus vaccines. Provide information
to veterinary authorities if you plan to use these vaccines in your area. Get medical advice.
VACCINATION PROCEDURES
Important things to consider:
•Make sure you carefully follow the vaccine manufacturer’s instructions: how to store, prepare and vaccinate the chicken. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding storage of the vaccine.
vaccine so that it does not lose its potency.
• Follow your veterinarian’s advice when preparing a vaccination program.
• Vaccinators should be trained on how to prepare and administer the vaccine
• Choose the type of vaccine based on the age and health status of the chicken.
• Clean the sheds regularly to reduce the number of parasites in the environment.
• Use water that has not been treated with pesticides or chemicals for mixing vaccines, e.g. well water, rain water, etc. The water used for mixing vaccines should be cool, not hot.
• Mix the vaccine before use and keep it away from chickens.
• Seek veterinary advice before vaccinating sick chickens or those that are not in good health.
good appearance
• On the day of vaccination, withhold water from the chickens for 3 – 4 hours so that they can drink the vaccinated water.
quickly.
• The vaccination exercise should be carried out quickly to minimize discomfort to the chickens.
• Separate vaccinated chickens from those that have not been vaccinated.
• After vaccination, chickens should be placed in a well-ventilated shed.
• After each vaccination exercise, workers should change clothes, shoes/boots should be cleaned and disinfected, and used equipment should be disinfected.
• Follow the established procedure for destroying/cleaning equipment used for vaccination
• Keep proper vaccination records.
Things you shouldn’t do when getting vaccinated
• Spilling vaccine and contaminating hands or clothes
• Combining two or more types of vaccines, except when directed by the vaccine manufacturer
so, or on the advice of a veterinarian.
• Using expired vaccines
• Using leftover vaccine to use for another day’s work
• Vaccinate chickens that have been given antibiotics.
• Getting more than one vaccine at a time, unless otherwise prescribed.
RECOMMENDED VACCINATIONS
Type of Vaccination
Chicken Vaccination Age
Time between vaccinations
The method used to vaccinate chickens
Lasota – for Mdondo/Kideri
3-day-old chick
Repeat after 21 days, then every 3 months.
Clean, uncontaminated water
Heat-tolerant vaccine – I-2 for Mdondo/Kideri
Day-old chick
Repeat after every 4 months for laying hens and parents
A drop of vaccine in the eye for each chicken
Hipraviar-B1 – for
Chest/Chest and Lung Disease (Infectious Bronchitis)
Day-old chick
Repeat after 21 days, then every 3 months.
Clean, uncontaminated water
VIR-114 – for Gumboro
10 or 14 days
Can be repeated on Day 17 for
those vaccinated with Day
10; and Day 28 for those vaccinated at 14 days
Clean, unmedicated water.
Avipro – for Chicken Pox
Weeks 7 to 14
One shot Inject into the middle of the skin
using a skin membrane on the wing
Mareksi vaccine
Day-old chick
One vaccine
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