When rearing chicks, vaccination is key in preventing diseases especially viral diseases. Knowing when to administer which vaccine is very important.
Before receiving day old chicks, ensure that the brooder is well set with the heat source, lighting and bedding. When you receive the chicks, remove them from the boxes and place them gently in the brooder and let them rest for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes, give them fresh water mixed with chick start for the first 3 days. Chick start is rich in vitamins which help the chick relieve from stress and glucose which is an energy source for the chicks.
Vaccination calender
On day 14, vaccinate against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis but after every vaccination ensure that you do not give the birds any anti biotic because after vaccination, the immunity of the birds is compromised.
Vaccinate against first Gumboro disease on day 20, Newcastle plain on day 28 and intermediate Gumboro on day 33.
Vaccinate against fowl pox on day 42. This is administered by dipping the jabber in to the vaccine and pricking in the web of the bird‘s wing.
At day 50, vaccinate against Newcastle again and this is the final oral Newcastle vaccine. Farmers can also use Newcastle LaSota vaccine which is given to the bird through injection that is intramuscular or subcutaneous. This prevents the bird from being infected with Newcastle for between 6 months to 1 year.
