The use of the drinking water system in poultry farms for immunization is a common method for administering live vaccines. Before immunization, the chicken flock must be limited to water for about one to two hours to ensure that all chickens are ready to drink the vaccine.

Water consumption is an important variable that needs to be calculated in order to obtain the correct amount of water for mixing with vaccines. For chicken coops with water meters, it is easy to obtain water consumption data. In the absence of a water meter, Table 2 below provides the water intake of broiler chickens of different ages (provided by Dr. Tom Tabler from Mississippi State University Extension Services).

When using a dosing device for immunization, the accurate amount of water required for immunization can be verified by using the dosing device two days before vaccination. When using a water pump for immunization, the amount of water used for vaccination should be approximately 30% of the daily intake.

Table 2 provides general guidelines for the water consumption of broiler chickens based on a continuous study conducted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service on 12 batches of broiler flocks.

Table 2 Water consumption per 1000 broiler chickens per day

Before vaccination

• Always immunize in the morning after feeding (for broiler chickens during the breeding period, immunize on non feeding days).

  
  

• All drugs, disinfectants, and chlorine added to drinking water must be stopped 48 hours before vaccination.

  
  

• Pre immunization dehydration time:

  & nbsp;   In hot weather, 30 to 60 minutes

  & nbsp;   In a cool climate, 60 to 90 minutes

• Always get vaccinated by drinking water in the morning.

  
  

• Adequate drinking water space (water level) needs to be provided.

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  Vaccine configuration

  • It is recommended to add the vaccine stabilizer or skim milk powder to water as a stabilizer 20 to 30 minutes before adding the vaccine. If using skimmed milk powder, the addition ratio is 500 g/200 L.

    
    

  • Remove the aluminum seal and rubber stopper, and open the vaccine bottle. Fill the small bottle with about 2/3 of the water to be used for immunization. Close the small bottle with a rubber stopper and gently shake to mix the freeze-dried vaccine. Rinse the vaccine bottle several times to remove all the vaccines.

    
    

  • Prepare vaccines using graduated plastic buckets or directly in the water tank.

    
    

  • If using a proportional dosing device for immunization, it is necessary to calculate the average water consumption over the past 4 days to obtain the amount of water used by the proportional dosing device. Calculate the amount of water required for the proportional dosing device based on 30% of the water consumption for immunization.

    
    

  • According to the manufacturer's instructions, add the vaccine stabilizer to the water tank. Then, add the vaccine solution. When using a proportional dosing device, a certain amount of dye can be added. Then use a plastic stick or other clean utensil to stir and mix evenly.

  
  

  Start immunization

  • Pour the prepared vaccine into the water bottle, or open the water tank or valve of the proportional dosing device. For specific information on using water tanks and pumps for immunization, please refer to the following sections.

    
    

  • Enter the chicken coop and check if all the chickens can drink water. If using a water bottle, adjust its position if necessary.

    
    

  • Please note that the chicken flock must consume all vaccine solutions within 2 hours, but not less than 1 hour.

  
  

  After immunization

  • Record all vaccine information and any issues that arise during the vaccination process. This information may be important for evaluating immune outcomes in the future.

    
    

  • Within 24 hours after vaccination, all drugs, disinfectants, and chlorine disinfectants must be temporarily suspended from use.

  
  

  Use water tank immunity

  
  

  Before vaccination

  • 48 hours before vaccination, turn off the water chlorination system and remove the chlorine tablets from the dispenser. The water tank must be clean and free of biofilm.

    
    

  • Determine the number of chickens in the flock and calculate the amount of vaccines used in the water tank.

    
    

  • The amount of water used for vaccination is approximately 30% of the daily average water usage.

  
  

  Vaccine Mix

  • According to the manufacturer's instructions, first mix the vaccine stabilizer into water. The water temperature should not be lower than 16 degrees Celsius and not higher than 27 degrees Celsius.

    
    

  • Add the vaccine and blue dye according to the calculated quantity.

  
  

  Start immunization

  • Open the water tank valve and let the chickens drink the vaccine.

    
    

  • After the vaccine is consumed, restore normal water supply.

  
  

  Immunization using water pump system

  
  

  Drinking water for immunization can also use a water pump to directly inject vaccines into the waterline. When using a water pump for immunization, a closed drinking water system (water line) is required.

  
  

  Before vaccination

  • Rinse the water line with clean water to eliminate residue.

    
    

  • Raise the waterline height to prevent chickens from drinking water 1-2 hours before vaccination.

    
    

  Vaccine Mix

  • Calculate the required amount of water to consume all vaccine solutions within 80 to 90 minutes. This amount should be about 30% of the daily water intake. If the water restriction period is too long, the chicken flock will become excessively thirsty and the vaccine consumption will be too fast.

  
  

  • In this case, the amount of vaccine consumed by each chicken may be uneven. Mix vaccines and add the vaccine solution into a large water tank connected to the water line.

  
  

  Start immunization

  • Once the vaccine, vaccine stabilizer, and vaccine dye (usually blue) are mixed in the container, start pumping the vaccine solution into the drinking water pipe with the help of a water pump.

    
    

  • The end of the waterline is open to promote water flow.

    
    

  • A staff member must observe the water flowing out from the end of the waterline until the blue solution (vaccine) is visible.

    
    

  • When you see the water color turn blue, close the end of the waterline.

    
    

  • Lower the waterline height and let the chickens start drinking the vaccine.

  
  

  • If the vaccine solution is placed in multiple buckets, mix the buckets alternately until all the vaccine solution in the buckets is consumed.

  • During the immunization period, walk back and forth in the chicken coop at least 2 to 3 times to stimulate all chickens in the coop to drink the vaccine.