Comparative field evaluations of in ovo applied technology

Abstract

Mass vaccination of poultry has advanced in recent years with field application of in ovo vaccination technologies in hatcheries worldwide. Working from a laboratory concept to a commercially available system within a matter of a decade, with subsequent full application to 90% of US broiler production a few years later, the commercial systems continue to be an area for study and continued understanding. Within the production setting, 2 methods to evaluate the types of equipment available for this technology were evaluated in this research. Utilizing a whole hatchery approach and paired testing in a field setting allowed for direct comparison of the 2 US-manufactured in ovo systems (Embrex Inovoject System and Intelliject). The results of the whole hatchery study showed an advantage for 1 system at d 18 and 19 transfer, with the Embrex Inovoject System showing as much as a 2.32% advantage in percentage of hatch. Paired testing showed a statistical difference in percentage of hatchability at d 18 of transfer favoring the Embrex Inovoject System but no difference at d 19 transfer. Differences in the 2 systems were additionally evaluated in terms of day of transfer and flock age.