#Combining two flocks of chickens free

Tip: Never mix your flocks of different ages, prevent any contact between your new flock in rearing and your flock in production at all times. The combination of these aspects will decrease the disease pressure significantly and it will therefore increase the likelihood that your flock will perform to its genetic potential.

It is important to ensure an even distribution to all birds in the flock.Ī well-designed vaccination program is key, but it will only be effective when combined with proper management, good nutrition and a well followed biosecurity program. The chickens might also inhale small quantities. The vaccine will fall onto the chickens and enters the body of other chickens as they pick at the shiny vaccine droplets. The vaccine is sprayed onto the chickens, or into the air above the chickens, by making use of a suitable spray applicator, that controls the spray droplet size.

All the water present in the drinkers and nipple lines should be consumed prior to vaccination.

Make sure the birds are thirsty to stimulate the intake of an adequate dose of the vaccine.

Open the vaccine bottle under the water.

Only use cold, fresh and clean water (drinking water quality).

#Combining two flocks of chickens free

All equipment used for vaccination is carefully cleaned and completely free of disinfectants and detergents (keep in mind that live vaccines administered via the drinking water can be destroyed by disinfectants and soap).This vaccination method is less time consuming and less stressful. From here it may make its way to the respiratory system or it may continue in the digestive tract before entering the body.Īdding the vaccine to the drinking water of your flock. The vaccine is given in the chickens’ beak. The vaccine is introduced into the chickens’ nostrils either as a dust or as a drop. From here the vaccine makes its way into the respiratory tract via the lacrimal duct. The vaccine is administered to the chicken’s eye via an eyedropper. Sufficient attention must be given to ensure that the vaccine is injected into the chicken (not just into the feathers).

Very similar as the intramuscular injection, but in this case the vaccine is injected under the skin, usually at the back of the neck. Good hygiene and proper vaccine handling procedures can prevent unnecessary contamination. Special care must be taken to ensure that the needle does not pass through into one of the key organs. Train the crew in administering the vaccine at the right position in the breast muscles. Regularly check the equipment to ensure that the correct dose is administered. The use of an automatic syringe can speed up the process as it makes the technique relatively easy and doesn’t harm the bird. This method involves the use of a needle to insert the vaccine into the breast muscles of the chickens. Several frequently used methods to administer vaccines to chickens are listed below, keep in mind to always safeguard the correct dose of the vaccine: There are different ways to administer vaccines to your poultry flock, it is crucial that the correct method is used for each vaccine.

Always destroy unused mixed vaccines after the task has been completed.

Monitor the result of the vaccinations (antibody titer test).

Make sure that the vaccines get properly distributed over the entire poultry house when administered via the water or spraying.

Discard the drinking water afterwards, wash the drinkers and provide fresh water for your birds

For vaccines administered via the drinking water, make sure the drinking system is clean and make sure you follow the minimal required drinking time as stated by the vaccine manufacturer.

Make sure the crew is trained in proper vaccine administration.

Only vaccinate healthy birds, isolate sick birds from your flock.

Always clean and sterilize the vaccinating equipment thoroughly after use.

Keep a record of the vaccination program.

Always follow the instructions of the vaccine manufacturers when storing, handling and administering the vaccines.

We recommend the following when administering vaccines:

Please consult your local veterinarian to develop your vaccination program. A well-balanced design of your vaccination program is therefore essential. Any vaccination during the rearing period should be well thought off, always check that the chicks are fit and healthy prior to vaccination and that they have recovered from the previous vaccination. Therefor it is advised to keep the number of vaccinations to a minimum, especially during the first weeks of life as the goal is to stimulate the chicks as much as possible to grow. This stimulated immune response caused by the vaccine could negatively affect the bird’s appetite and therefor growth. Vaccination require energy of the bird and can be stressful and painful for the chicks, as each vaccination will result in a defense reaction.