Chicken Vaccination Guide: Proper Procedure by Age

Keeping your chickens healthy starts with a proper vaccination schedule. Vaccination helps prevent deadly poultry diseases, improves productivity, and ensures your flock’s long-term health. Whether you keep layers for egg production or broilers for meat, following a structured vaccination plan is essential.

🥚 Vaccination Schedule for Layers (Egg-Producing Birds)

If you’re keeping layers, here’s the recommended vaccination timeline:

Age (Weeks)	Disease	Vaccine Type	Notes
1st Week	Newcastle Disease (NCD)	Ocular/nasal drops or drinking water	First dose to build initial immunity
2nd Week	Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease – IBD)	Drinking water	Protects against IBD, a common viral disease
3rd Week	Newcastle Disease (NCD) – Booster	Drinking water or spray	Boosts immunity against NCD
4th Week	Gumboro (IBD) – Booster	Drinking water	Ensures stronger protection
9th Week	Fowl Typhoid	Intramuscular injection	Prevents bacterial infection caused by Salmonella gallinarum
18th Week	Fowl Pox	Wing web puncture	Protects against fowl pox before egg laying begins

Note: NCD and IBD vaccines are administered twice to ensure lasting immunity.

🍗 Vaccination Schedule for Broilers (Meat Birds)

Broilers have a shorter lifespan, so their vaccination schedule is simpler. Focus mainly on:

• Newcastle Disease (NCD) – at 1st and 3rd week

• Gumboro (IBD) – at 2nd and 4th week

💡 Tip: Complete all vaccinations within the first month to prevent any drug residues in the meat.

💉 Vaccine Administration Methods

Different vaccines are administered using various methods depending on the type and manufacturer’s recommendations:

• Drinking water – Most convenient and stress-free

• Spraying – Ideal for mass vaccination

• Ocular/nasal drops – Common for NCD and IBD in chicks

• Skin puncture – Used for fowl pox (wing web method)

• Intramuscular injection – Used for diseases like fowl typhoid

For drinking water vaccination, ensure maximum effectiveness by:

1. Withdrawing water for 3–4 hours before vaccination to make the birds thirsty.

2. Mixing the vaccine properly in clean, chlorine-free water.

3. Ensure all birds drink the vaccinated water within 1–2 hours.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Follow the correct vaccination schedule based on bird type and age.

• Always use clean equipment and follow manufacturer instructions.

• Avoid stressing your birds - use water-based vaccines where possible.

• Store vaccines properly (usually between 2–8°C) and avoid direct sunlight.

✅ Final Thoughts

A well-planned vaccination program is the foundation of healthy and productive poultry farming. Consistent disease prevention not only improves bird welfare but also enhances profit margins by reducing mortality and production losses.

Stay proactive, keep records of your vaccinations, and consult your local veterinarian for updated vaccine brands and dosages suited to your region.