There are six ways you can administer vaccinations to chickens. Subcutaneous, Conjunctival sac installation, Wing-web puncture, Feather follicle inoculation, Intramuscular injection, and Embryo Injection. Find out how to do them here.
Subcutaneous injection: This injection is administered into the middle of the back of the neck on the chicken. This type of injection is used for:
Marek's Disease vaccine in the hatchery. Inactivated vaccines such as Newcastle Disease Virus, Infectious Bronchitis Virus, Reovirus and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus.
Conjunctival sac installation: Administer by holding the head with one hand, use your thumb to press the lower eyelid down and put one drop of the eyedrop solution into the eye. This type of application is supposed to work faster than a transnasal drop. This method is most often used for Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Laryngotracheitis vaccines.
Wing-web puncture: Fowl Pox (pigeon pox), and Avian Encephalomyelitis, Fowl Cholera chickens. Use double-prong sewing machine needle (supplied by vaccine manufacturer), dip into vaccine before each stab, spread the wing to expose the underside (up), stab through, do not touch feather with needles, avoid vessels. For fowl pox, examine for "take" 6-10 days post, swelling followed by scab formation. Revaccinate non-reactor flock. To vaccinate turkeys, puncture the loose skin between the thigh and abdomen.
See How to Administer a Wing Web Vaccination
Feather follicle inoculation: Fowl pox vaccine in turkeys. Remove 2-3 feather follicles over the thigh, brush against the opening of the follicle with vaccine-dipped brush (supplied) or the vaccine may be sprayed on the area with a sprayer, hold the tip 2"-3" away. Examine for "take" 6-10 days post.
Intramuscular injection: Vaccines (Infectious Bursal Disease, Newcastle Disease, Mycoplasma gallisepticum Fowl Cholera, Infectious Bronchitis, Reovirus) alone or in combination are used in Breeder birds usually just before housing. IM injection is in the pectoral muscles, using continuous flow, automatic syringe.
Embryo Injection: Vaccines (Marek's Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, Newcastle Disease or Infectious Bronchitis) are injected into 18 day old embryonating eggs with an automated machine.
Marek's Disease vaccine in the hatchery. Inactivated vaccines such as Newcastle Disease Virus, Infectious Bronchitis Virus, Reovirus and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus.
Conjunctival sac installation: Administer by holding the head with one hand, use your thumb to press the lower eyelid down and put one drop of the eyedrop solution into the eye. This type of application is supposed to work faster than a transnasal drop. This method is most often used for Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Laryngotracheitis vaccines.
Wing-web puncture: Fowl Pox (pigeon pox), and Avian Encephalomyelitis, Fowl Cholera chickens. Use double-prong sewing machine needle (supplied by vaccine manufacturer), dip into vaccine before each stab, spread the wing to expose the underside (up), stab through, do not touch feather with needles, avoid vessels. For fowl pox, examine for "take" 6-10 days post, swelling followed by scab formation. Revaccinate non-reactor flock. To vaccinate turkeys, puncture the loose skin between the thigh and abdomen.
See How to Administer a Wing Web Vaccination
Feather follicle inoculation: Fowl pox vaccine in turkeys. Remove 2-3 feather follicles over the thigh, brush against the opening of the follicle with vaccine-dipped brush (supplied) or the vaccine may be sprayed on the area with a sprayer, hold the tip 2"-3" away. Examine for "take" 6-10 days post.
Intramuscular injection: Vaccines (Infectious Bursal Disease, Newcastle Disease, Mycoplasma gallisepticum Fowl Cholera, Infectious Bronchitis, Reovirus) alone or in combination are used in Breeder birds usually just before housing. IM injection is in the pectoral muscles, using continuous flow, automatic syringe.
Embryo Injection: Vaccines (Marek's Disease, Infectious Bursal Disease, Newcastle Disease or Infectious Bronchitis) are injected into 18 day old embryonating eggs with an automated machine.
References:
Jurikson, Matthew (Student). Dr. Eckroade, Dr. Davison, Dr. Gingerich (Faculty). (1999) University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved on Oct. 7, 2016. Methods of poultry vaccination individual bird application. http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/poultry/Syllabus/page11.html
Jurikson, Matthew (Student). Dr. Eckroade, Dr. Davison, Dr. Gingerich (Faculty). (1999) University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. Retrieved on Oct. 7, 2016. Methods of poultry vaccination individual bird application. http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/projects/poultry/Syllabus/page11.html
