Kienyeji Chicks Vaccination Schedule in Kenya: Complete Guide for Healthy Flocks

Vaccination plays a vital role in protecting poultry against deadly diseases — and Kienyeji chickens are no exception. While Kienyeji chickens are naturally hardier and more disease-resistant compared to exotic breeds, they still face threats from common poultry diseases such as Newcastle Disease and Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease).

Chicken vaccination schedule

To ensure your flock stays healthy, productive, and profitable, a consistent vaccination program is essential. Below is a simple yet effective vaccination schedule and important health management tips for your Kienyeji chicks.

🗓️ Recommended Kienyeji Chick Vaccination Schedule

Age (Days/Weeks)	Disease	Vaccine Type	Administration Method
Day 1	Marek’s Disease	Marek’s vaccine	At the hatchery (subcutaneous injection)
Day 7	Newcastle Disease (NCD)	Lasota	Eye drop or drinking water
Day 14	Gumboro (IBD)	IBD vaccine	Drinking water
Day 21	Gumboro (Booster)	IBD vaccine	Drinking water
Week 4	Fowl Pox	Fowl Pox vaccine	Wing stab method
Week 6	Newcastle Disease (Booster)	Lasota	Drinking water
Week 8–10	Infectious Coryza	Bacterin vaccine	Drinking water or injection
Week 12–16	Fowl Typhoid	Inactivated vaccine	Injection
Every 3 Months	Deworming	Albendazole/Fenbendazole	Drinking water

💡 Tip: Always use clean, chlorine-free water for vaccine preparation and follow the manufacturer’s instructions strictly. Vaccines lose potency if exposed to heat or sunlight.

🦠 Common Poultry Diseases and Their Control

Even with vaccination, your birds may still encounter diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and protozoa. Good farm management and biosecurity are key to keeping your Kienyeji chickens healthy.

1. Viral Diseases

• Newcastle Disease (NCD): Highly contagious and fatal. Causes respiratory distress, diarrhea, and paralysis.
  Prevention: Early and regular vaccination.

• Fowl Pox: Causes scabs on combs and wattles, especially in chicks.
  Prevention: Vaccinate at 4 weeks; control mosquitoes.

• Infectious Bronchitis: Leads to coughing, watery eyes, and reduced egg production.
  Control: Vaccination and good ventilation.

• Avian Influenza: Causes coughing, facial swelling, and sudden death.
  Control: Quarantine infected areas; destroy affected birds.

• Gumboro (IBD): Affects 2–6-week-old chicks, leading to high mortality.
  Prevention: Timely vaccination at week 2 and week 3.

2. Bacterial Diseases

• Salmonella (Pullorum, Typhoid, Salmonellosis): Causes diarrhea, low egg production, and sudden death.
  Control: Maintain hygiene, fumigate eggs and nests, and vaccinate regularly.

• Infectious Coryza: Causes nasal discharge, swollen eyes, and reduced egg laying.
  Control: Vaccinate at 10–12 and 16–18 weeks; destroy sick birds.

3. Parasitic Diseases

• Worms: Cause stunted growth and low egg output.
  Control: Deworm every 3 months using Albendazole or Fenbendazole.

• External Parasites (Lice, Fleas): Cause irritation and reduced productivity.
  Control: Use insecticidal dusting and maintain dry litter.

4. Protozoan Diseases

• Coccidiosis (Emiria tenella): Common in wet litter; causes bloody diarrhea.
  Control: Maintain hygiene, keep litter dry, and use anti-coccidial drugs.

🧼 Essential Biosecurity and Management Practices

Vaccination alone cannot completely protect your flock. Combine it with strong management and hygiene practices for the best results:

1. Clean feeding and drinking equipment daily.

2. Provide adequate ventilation to avoid respiratory diseases.

3. Use high-quality feeds rich in vitamins and minerals.

4. Quarantine new or sick birds before introducing them to the flock.

5. Dispose of dead birds properly — bury at least 3 feet deep to prevent disease spread.

6. Keep the poultry house dry and clean to discourage parasites and pathogens.

🐥 Final Thoughts

A good Kienyeji chick vaccination program combined with proper hygiene, nutrition, and biosecurity can greatly reduce disease outbreaks and losses. Remember, prevention is always cheaper and easier than treatment.

By following this vaccination schedule and maintaining high management standards, you’ll raise strong, healthy, and productive Kienyeji chickens, giving your poultry business the best chance to thrive.