If you have chickens-either thousands or just three-you will need to vaccinate them to keep them healthy. There are many ways to vaccinate, although some are more effective for large-scale chicken farms, for example the spray method, while some are better for individual vaccinations, such as the SC injection method. Scroll down to Step 1 to learn about these different methods. If you have never vaccinated chickens before, you should consult a veterinarian who can discuss the best course of action for your situation.
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Method 1 of 8: Preparing for Vaccination
Step 1. Give the first vaccine at the right time
Different vaccines usually need to be given at different times in a chicken's life. Most vaccines are given immediately after the chicks hatch. You should always talk to your vet before getting vaccinated if you have never vaccinated chickens before.
Here are some general guidelines on the most frequently given vaccinations and when they should be taken:
- E. Coli: Given when the chicken is one day old.
- Marek's Disease: Given when the chicks are one day old to 3 weeks old.
- Infectious Bursal Disease/Gumboro: Given when the chicken is between 10 to 28 days old.
- Infectious Bronchitis Disease (Infectious Bronchitis): Given when chickens are between 16 to 20 weeks old.
- Newcastle Disease: Given when the chicks are between 16 to 20 weeks old.
- Adenovirus: Given when chickens are between 16 to 20 weeks old.
- Salmonellosis: Given when the chicken is one day old to 16 weeks.
- Coccidiosis: Given when the chicken is 1 to 9 days old.
- Infectious Laryngotracheitis (Inflammation of the Larynx / Infectious Trachea): Given since the chicken is 4 weeks old.
Step 2. Do not vaccinate chickens that lay eggs
The risk of the virus being transmitted through the oviduct of the chicken to the eggs, and then carried elsewhere so that it can transmit the risk to other bird families, is too high when you vaccinate chickens while they are laying eggs.
Some vaccine manufacturers recommend vaccinating adult birds at least 4 weeks before they start laying eggs. This ensures that the vaccinated recipient is no longer transmitting the virus, so he or she does not create the risk of indirect egg transmission to other birds in different locations
Step 3. Understand the types of vaccines that should be given regularly every year
Some vaccines require annual boost doses to ensure that they are still effective in the fight against the virus on which they were originally designed. Some other vaccines only need to be given once and will protect the chicken for the rest of its life.
- Vaccines that require annual doses: Infectious Bronchitis, Newcastle Disease, Adenovirus (Egg Drop Syndrome), Salmonella.
- Vaccines that do not require additional doses: Marek's Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, Coccidiosis, Infectious Laryngotracheitis.
Step 4. Check the general health of the chicken before you vaccinate
Don't vaccinate sick birds, because the virus may be too strong and could kill them. The best way to know if you should vaccinate or not is to have a veterinarian check the health of your chickens.
At the same time, your vet can tell you the best way to vaccinate your chickens specifically
Step 5. Check and record the vaccination information
It is very important that you do checks to make sure you are getting the right vaccine, the right dose, and understand how best to vaccinate your chickens with it. Double-check that you have all the correct information and have written everything down, including:
- Vaccine name
- Vaccine number
- Manufacturer name
- Production date
- Expiration date
- Which chickens will be vaccinated
Step 6. Double check to see if the vaccine has been stored properly
If the vaccine is supposed to be stored at a specific temperature or location, it is important that you find out that these storage conditions are not compromised in any way.
If you notice any cracks, or an inappropriate temperature, you should cancel the vaccination and order a new vaccine through your veterinarian
Step 7. Gather all your materials
The following sections of this article discuss various ways to vaccinate chickens. Each method can only be used for certain types of vaccination, so always make sure you do it correctly according to the procedure. Once you've double-checked and know what you're doing, gather all your materials so you can pick them up as soon as you're about to vaccinate your chickens.
Some vaccination methods require one or two other people to assist you, so form a team if this is what you need for your vaccination method
Step 8. Clean the point where you plan to administer the injection for vaccination
If you plan to use the injection and the needle for vaccination, clean the point where you will inject. To sterilize the chicken skin, soak a cotton ball in a surgical solution (such as rubbing alcohol), separate the feathers at the injection point, and rub the skin with the alcohol-soaked cotton swab.
Method 2 of 8: Vaccinating with SC. Injection
Step 1. Prepare for SC (subcutaneous) vaccination
Allow the vaccine to heat up to room temperature within 12 hours of the vaccination process. Before you prepare the mixture, double check and make sure that your vaccine does have to be injected subcutaneously. Subcutaneous means that your needle only needs to go into the skin layer of the chicken and should not go too deep into the chicken muscle under the skin.
To prepare the vaccine, follow the instructions on the vaccine package
Step 2. Select your injection point
SC injections can be given at two points-the dorsal (or upper) portion of the chicken's neck, or in the inguinal fold. This inguinal fold is a pocket that is created between the stomach and thigh of the chicken.
Step 3. Have an assistant hold the chicken for you
It is easier to give the injection if you keep your hands ready. How to handle the chicken will depend on where the vaccine was injected.
- Neck: Have the assistant hold the chicken so that the head of the chicken is facing you. The assistant has to hold the chicken's wings and legs to make sure the chicken doesn't move.
- Inguinal folds: Have the assistant hold the chicken in a way that turns the chicken upside down, with the chest facing you. The chicken should look like it is lying on its back in your assistant's hand.
Step 4. Make a tent shape with chicken skin
As odd as it may sound, doing this will help you get the needle in. Hold the chicken skin at the injection point and lift it with the fingers and thumb of your non-dominant hand.
- Neck: Lift the skin in the middle of the top of the neck with your middle finger, index finger, and thumb. This will create a pocket between the neck muscles and the skin.
- Inguinal fold: Again, this inguinal fold is created between the belly and thigh of the chicken. Lift the inguinal folds with your fingers, and feel for any pockets or spaces that are created.
Step 5. Insert the needle into the chicken skin
Inject the needle into the pocket created. There will be resistance at first, but once the needle has penetrated the skin and into the subcutaneous area, the needle will pass smoothly. You will feel this initial resistance, which is then followed by smooth movement.
If you still feel resistance (like something is blocking the needle), this means you may have gone too deep and inserted the needle into the muscle. If this is the case, remove the needle and change the angle of your needle so that it goes deeper into the skin of the chicken
Step 6. Inject the vaccine
Once you have inserted the needle correctly, press down on the injector and administer the vaccine to the chicken. Make sure that all of the vaccine is injected and that the needle is not sticking out on the other side of the skinfold you are holding.
Method 3 of 8: Vaccination by IM Injection
Step 1. Prepare for IM (intramuscular) vaccination
This vaccination means that the needle you will use must be injected into the chicken's muscle. The chest muscle is the best point for injection for this type of vaccine. Follow the instructions on the vaccine package to make sure you prepare it properly.
Step 2. Have an assistant hold the chicken on the table
This injection will be easiest to do when the chicken is placed on the table. Have the assistant hold the joints and legs of the chicken with one hand, with the other holding the wings at the base, allowing the chicken to lie on its side.
Step 3. Find the location of the keel
The keel is the bone that divides the chicken breast. Inject the vaccine at a point 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.7 cm) apart on this side of the keel. This point is the part that covers the largest chest muscles, making it easy to administer the vaccine.
Step 4. Insert the needle at a 45 degree angle
Keeping the needle at a 45-degree angle and inserting it into the chicken will ensure that the needle reaches the muscle under the skin. Make sure there is no bleeding.
If you notice that the spot is bleeding, it means you have hit a vein or artery. Take out the needle and try a different point
Step 5. Press the injection and administer the vaccine injection
Make sure no vaccine is spilled when you give the injection. After all the vaccine has been injected, remove the needle from the chicken.
Method 4 of 8: Vaccination with Eye Drops
Step 1. Use eye drops for respiratory vaccines
This method is a bit slow but is the most effective and sure way to administer a respiratory vaccine. This route is more often used on breeder premises (where chickens are raised to produce chicks), or layer farms (where chickens are used to produce eggs), and when you only have a small number of chickens to vaccinate.
Step 2. Prepare the vaccine by diluting it
Open the vial or vial of the vaccine and dilute by injection with 3 ml of the diluent solution (the injection and diluent are usually packaged with the vaccine). Make sure the temperature of the diluent is in the range of 2 to 8 degrees C.
- To make sure the diluent is always cold, always have an ice box with ice ready, and place the vaccine holder and diluent in it.
- If you're going to be vaccinating a lot of birds, you can separate the diluted vaccine liquid into two or three dry bottles and put them all in an ice box. This way, the vaccine will stay at the right temperature.
Step 3. Attach the eye dropper to the vial or vial of vaccine
Shake the vaccine holder gently a few times before you attach the eye dropper. After shaking, attach the eye dropper (this eye dropper is usually supplied with the vial or vial of the vaccine).
The appearance of the eye dropper will vary depending on whether you are using a vial or vial. However, you should be able to attach it by pulling through the lip or container, or by twisting it
Step 4. Ask an assistant to hold the chicken and apply the vaccine
Grasp the chicken's head and gently twist it so its eyes are facing you. Drop 0.03 ml of vaccine into the eye of the chicken and wait for a few seconds. This few seconds will ensure that the vaccine is absorbed by the eye and flows through the chicken's nostrils.
Method 5 of 8: Vaccination with Drinking Water
Step 1. Use this method if you have a water system in your chicken house
This method of vaccinating should only be used if you have a commercial chicken farm, as vaccinating only a small percentage of the chickens will cost a lot of the vaccine.
Step 2. Make sure your irrigation system is clean
It's important to have a clean water system, but make sure it's also chlorine free. Stop draining chlorine and other medications for at least 48 hours before planning to vaccinate your chickens.
Step 3. Stop running water before vaccinating your chickens
To ensure that your chickens will drink the water that contains the vaccine, you should stop running the water on these chickens for a certain amount of time before the vaccination process.
Take water 30 to 60 minutes before vaccination in hot climates, and 60 to 90 minutes in cold climates
Step 4. Calculate the amount of water your birds will use over a two hour period
As a rough guide, water consumption in liters for 2 hours can be calculated by multiplying the number of chickens by their age, then multiplying the result by two.
- Example: 40,000 birds aged 14 days means 1,120 liters of water for 2 hours.
- If you have a balancing system in your irrigation system, add an extra step to this calculation. For homes with a counterbalance system that has an injection rate of 2%, prepare the vaccine liquid in a 50 liter capacity bucket. To do this, multiply 2% by the approximate result of 2 hours of water consumption, and put this amount in the bucket, for the example above: 0.02 x 1,120 liters = 22.4 liters. Mix the vaccine in this bucket and place the balancing system suction hose in this bucket.
Step 5. Stabilize the water if you are using a manual drinking system
Stabilize water by using 500 grams of skim milk for every 200 liters of water, or by using a chlorine neutralizer such as Cevamune®, at a dose of 1 tablet for every 100 liters of water. For homes with a buzzer drinking system, mix the vaccine in the drink tank.
For an automatic drinking system with a counterweight, use Cevamune® to stabilize the water. For example, in the previous step, you would need about 11 tablets. This is based on a calculation of 1,120 liters divided by 100 liters = 11.2 (1 tablet for every 100 liters). Mix these tablets in a bucket with 22.4 liters of water (from the example above)
Step 6. Allow the water to start flowing again so the chickens can be vaccinated
When the water comes back on, the chickens will start drinking. This way, they will get vaccinated. Try to make sure the chickens drink all of the vaccine water within one to two hours. Do not apply chlorine or any other treatment back into the water for at least 24 hours.
For homes with manual or basin drinking systems, distribute the vaccine mixture evenly in each basin or chicken trough. For houses with a bell drinking system, all you have to do is open the water tank so the chickens can drink. For homes with automatic nipple drinking systems, open the valve
Method 6 of 8: Vaccinating with a Spray
Step 1. Use back spray for large-scale vaccination
If you have a lot of chickens to vaccinate, a back spray is one of the quickest to get the job done. It is worn like a backpack on your back and can vaccinate multiple chickens at the same time.
Step 2. Do a test run on this back sprayer
Spray four liters of distilled water from it, and record the time it takes for the appliance to completely empty. Make sure the particle size of the spray is correct.
- For chicks (1 to 14 days old), this should be on the 80 to 120 micron scale, for older birds (from day 28 onwards), this should be on the 30 to 60 micron scale (1).
- Desvac®, and Field Spravac have sprays with different particle sizes.
Step 3. Prepare the right amount of distilled water based on the size of each chicken
The total amount of distilled water will depend on the number of birds to be vaccinated, and the age of vaccination. As a rough guide:
500 to 600 ml of distilled water is required for every 1,000 birds at 14 days of age, and 1,000 ml of distilled water is required for every 1,000 birds at 30 to 35 days of age. For example: for a flock of 30,000 birds 14 days old: 30 x 500 = 15,000 ml, or 15 liters of distilled water
Step 4. Prepare the vaccine mixture
Mix the vaccine only when you are completely ready to vaccinate the chickens. Open the vaccine vial first, and pour the distilled water into it before you mix it with the required amount of distilled water (see Step 2).
Mix the vaccine evenly using a clean plastic stirrer
Step 5. Divide the vaccine evenly into the back sprayer and prepare the chicken coop
Prepare the cage by setting the ventilation level to a minimum, and dim the light to soothe the birds. Always vaccinate at the cooler times of the day.
Step 6. Vaccinate your chickens
After preparing the cage and the vaccine, start the vaccination with one person walking slowly in front of you to separate the birds, and you behind them by moving left and right. The person spraying the vaccine should walk slowly and aim the spray at a distance of 90 cm above the heads of these birds.
When you spray, keep the spray pressure between 65 and 75 PSI. Each brand of back sprayer is different, but there is always a way to read the pressure on the device
Step 7. Restore the normal state of the chicken coop
After vaccination, immediately restore ventilation settings to normal. Turn the lights back on after a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes), to give the chickens some rest.
Step 8. Clean this back sprayer
Clean using 4 liters of water, by shaking and spraying until the sprayer is completely empty. Always check back sprayer parts and replace if necessary. For atomizers with batteries, always recharge them after each use.
Method 7 of 8: Vaccinating On Wing Tissue
Step 1. Use wing tissue vaccine for serious chicken diseases
This route is usually taken when you are vaccinating chickens against chicken anemia, such as Fowl Cholera, Avian Encephalomyelitis, and Fowl Pox.
Step 2. Dilute the vaccine
This vaccine will be packaged together with a diluent solution. The amount of diluent you need will depend on the vaccine you are giving your chickens. Follow the instructions that came with the vaccine to learn how to dilute.
Step 3. Have an assistant hold the chicken and lift one wing
Gently lift the left or right wing of the chicken. Reveal the wing network to make it visible before your eyes. This means that you have to highlight the underside of the wing so that the wing tissue is facing up. Gently remove some of the feathers in this section so you can see what you're doing and make sure no vaccine is wasted on the chicken wings.
Wing tissue is located near the bone, at the part where the wing connects to the body
Step 4. Insert the needle into the vaccine
Dip the two forked needle applicators into the vaccine bottle. Be careful not to dip the needle too deep. Only the tip of the needle should be dipped in the vaccine.
Step 5. Pierce the underside of the wing tissue, but avoid piercing the veins and bones
You can confirm this by centering the needle in the middle of the triangular portion that the wing tissue forms when the chicken wings are outstretched.
If you accidentally hit a vein and bleeding occurs, replace the needle with a new one, and re-vaccinate
Step 6. Change the needle and check to see if your vaccination was successful
Replace needles with new ones after vaccinating 500 chickens. Check every 7 to 10 days to make sure the vaccination was successful. To perform an inspection:
Choose 50 birds for each chicken coop and check for scabs on the underside of the chicken wing tissue. A scab or scar means your vaccination was successful
Method 8 of 8: Cleaning After Vaccination
Step 1. Dispose of all empty vaccine vials and vials properly
To do this, you must first clean it in a bucket filled with a disinfectant solution and water (50 ml of glutaraldehyde with 5 liters of water).
Step 2. Recycle your vials and bottles
Some manufacturers recycle vials and vials and use them for sample purposes. This can be done by cleaning the vials and bottles first, then rinsing thoroughly afterwards. After rinsing, use the autoclave to ensure that these containers are fully sterilized.
Step 3. Check the health of the chicken
You should always pay attention to the chickens after you have vaccinated them. Look for signs that something is wrong. If you notice anything, call the vet immediately.
