There are at least four methods by which you can administer poultry vaccines. These depend on the type of the vaccine being administered. Some vaccines can be administered in more than ways.
Vaccines are used to prevent the outbreak of poultry diseases.
Different vaccines are administered to birds at different ages in their life. Required vaccines can also differ by region, poultry breed, flock type (broiler / layers), among other things.
Different vaccines have different monitoring methods. Furthermore, a vaccine monitoring method is used to follow up and determine the effectiveness of the vaccine. Note that administration of poultry vaccines without adherence to vaccine conditions result to vaccine ineffectiveness.
Poultry vaccines should be administered according to a flock schedule. Additionally, a farmer should ensure that vaccines are administered under prescribed conditions.
4 Techniques for poultry vaccines administration
1. Injection
There are 3 main types of injection vaccination methods. These are:
- Intramuscular vaccination
- Subcutaneous vaccination
- Wing web vaccination
Injection vaccinations are administered through the parenteral route. Parenteral vaccines are administered through a route that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.
Intramuscular vaccination
An intramuscular vaccination (IV) is administered through an injection to a bird’s muscles. The injection site is usually on the breast muscle, leg muscle, or lower neck. Essential for the intramuscular injection is the accuracy of needle placement. IV is used to administer Marek’s disease vaccine.
Subcutaneous vaccination
Similar to the IV is the subcutaneous vaccination (SV). In SV, a vaccine is administered through an injection to the bird’s skin.
Wing web vaccination injection (WI)
Wing web vaccination is also referred to as Wing injection. In wing injection, a double pointed injection is used to administer a vaccine. This method is used to administer the Fowlpox vaccine.
2. Drinking water
A vaccine administered via drinking water is mixed with drinking water. This method is also known as Oral vaccination. It is common in the administration of the Gumboro vaccine.
Oral vaccination are administered through the oral route.
Vaccine mixing has to be done according to provided measures and guidelines for effectiveness. Moreover, drinkers need to be clean before a vaccine mixture is delivered through them. Additionally, the water used for vaccine mixture also needs to be free clean and free of other supplements or medicines. Once a water vaccine is made accordingly to the vaccine guidelines, it should be administered within the provided time frame. This is usually 2 hours.
3. Spray
Vaccines administered through spray enter the animals through their respiratory system. Spraying is usually only used on chicks. Spray vaccination is used to administer vaccines for respiratory diseases such as Newcastle disease, Coccidiosis and Infectious bursal disease.
A spraying canister is used to introduce and spread a vaccine mixture in the air. Secondly, the sprayed mixture is then inhaled by the birds. Finally, for effectiveness, a spray vaccine may require a closure of ventilation system during the vaccine administration time. This helps keep the spray in the air and reduces dissipation by airflow currents facilitated by ventilation systems.
Spray vaccination are administered through the aerosal route.
4. Oculo-nasal
Oculo-nasal vaccines are administered by a drop to the eye or nostril of a bird. Oculo-nasal vaccines are administered through the oculo-nasal route. Oculo-nasal vaccination can be categorized in to two:
- Intraocular / eye drop vaccination
- Nasal vaccination
Eye drop / Intraocular vaccination
The eye drop vaccination is also know as Intraocular vaccination. Vaccines administered via the eye drop method are usually mixed with water to form a solution. This solution is then administered to birds through their eyes, as eye drops.
Nasal vaccination
Nasal vaccination is yet another method used to administer poultry vaccines. Nasal vaccination involves the administration of a vaccine through the nostril.
Key takeaways
- Vaccination method depends on the vaccine
- Different vaccine have different vaccination methods
- Some vaccines have more than one method
- Vaccines should be administered as prescribed
- Vaccine administration should follow a respective flock schedule
- Consult with your flock supplier or certified vet if you’re unsure about your flocks’ vaccines or schedule