Vaccination of Poultry: Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Vaccination Schedule for Poultry
Major Vaccination Schedule for Broilers
Age (Days) | Disease | Vaccine Name | Route |
Day 1 | Marek’s Disease | Marek’s Vaccine | Subcutaneous (neck) |
5–7 | Newcastle Disease | Lasota / F-strain | Eye drop / Nasal |
14 | Gumboro (IBD) | IBD Vaccine | Drinking water |
21 | Newcastle Disease (Booster) | Lasota | Drinking water |
Major Vaccination Schedule for Layers
Age (Weeks) | Disease | Vaccine Name | Route |
Day 1 | Marek’s Disease | Marek’s Vaccine | Subcutaneous (neck) |
Week 1 | Newcastle Disease | Lasota / F-strain | Eye drop / Nasal |
Week 2 | Gumboro (IBD) | IBD Vaccine | Drinking water |
Week 4 | Fowl Pox | Fowl Pox Vaccine | Wing web method |
Week 6 | Newcastle (Booster) | R2B / Lasota | Intramuscular / Drinking water |
Week 18–20 | Egg Drop Syndrome (EDS) | EDS Vaccine | Intramuscular |
Vaccination Guidelines
- Live & killed vaccines should be given by different persons.
- IBD vaccine only in outbreak areas.
- RDVK strain preferred in pullets or outbreak stages.
- Deworm before RDVK administration.
Debeaking
- Purpose: Prevent feather pecking, cannibalism, and bullying.
- Method: Remove 1/3 of upper beak using electrocautery, not penknife.
- Age: First: 10–14 days, Second: 14–16 weeks
- Aftercare: Give vitamins & antibiotics for 3–5 days to reduce stress.
- Precautions: Avoid overcrowding, injuries, vitamin/mineral deficiency, poor diet.
Deworming
- Purpose: Remove internal parasites like roundworms and tapeworms.
- Transmission: Droppings, cockroaches, earthworms, wild birds (e.g., crows).
- Symptoms of Worm Infestation:
- Weakness, dullness
- Paralysis (worm toxins)
- Diarrhea with blood
- Anemia
- Drop in egg production
Schedule: Every 45 days in layers. Before RDVK vaccination.
Delicing (Ectoparasite Control)
Parasites: Ticks, mites, fleas.
Delicing Procedure:
- Use Sumathion/Malathion (5ml in 100ml water)
- Dip bird avoiding eyes/mouth
- Dry bird separately
- Spray environment & equipment
- Give Vitamin A & B-complex post-treatment
Ranikhet Disease (Newcastle Disease)
- Virus: Paramyxoviridae
- Common in rainy season in India (summer in native birds)
Types:
- Peracute: Sudden death
- Neural form: Paralysis, twisting of neck
- Typical symptoms:
- Depression, drooping wings
- Green/yellow diarrhea
- Respiratory distress
- Drop in egg production, soft-shelled eggs
- Prevention: F strain/Lasota on day 1
- Booster: at 8–10 weeks (RDVK)
- Layer flocks: RDV booster every 2 months
Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD / Gumboro Disease)
- Agent: IBD virus
- Affects: Bursa of Fabricius → leads to immunosuppression
- Age Group: Chicks aged 2–6 weeks
- Prevention: Vaccinate at 2nd & 3rd week
