October 14, 2008

Poultry from slower-growing breeds require a different vaccination programme from that of faster-growing breeds, when being immunised against Gumboro disease, according to research.

This was found from laboratory and field trials conducted by Lohmann Animal Health and poultry vets. The trials involved several hundred thousand birds on farms throughout the UK.

When using a "hot" vaccine, conventional broilers in the UK are usually vaccinated at around 14-16 days when their maternal immunity is fading, according to Adam Goddard, Lohmann's UK sales consult.

"However, we've found this maternal immunity lasts longer in the slow-growing breeds which are reared both indoors and out," Goddard said.

Goddard suggests producers to consult their vets who can take blood samples to get an accurate prediction regarding the best timing of vaccination with their own particular flocks.

The trials showed that in general and depending on the breed used, the decline in maternal immunity is delayed for about 4-5 days, said Goddard. Therefore, it is recommended to vaccinate the birds later or use an IBD vaccine that takes in the presence of high maternal immunity, he said.