Effects Of Mixed Vaccinations Against Newcastle Disease And Infectious Bursal Disease On Immune Response, Feed Consumption And Weight Gain In Broilers.

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

The effect of mixed vaccinations against Newcastle disease (ND) and Infectious bursal disease (IBD) on immune response, feed consumption and weight gain were studied in 21 days old broilers. The trial was carried out to ascertain the safety of this practice which is intended to reduce labour, cost and stress associated with chasing and catching during individual bird vaccinations in large flocks. The two diseases are among the common viral diseases found in Nigeria; a country with an expanding poultry population that is creating major impact in its meat industry. Their prevention is largely by vaccination and vaccinations with live vaccines can precipitate reactions. A total of 120 broilers were assigned into 4 groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4) of 30 chickens each at 21 days of age. Chicken in G1 were vaccinated with ND vaccine, La Sota which was given singly at 21 days of age and repeated at 35 days of age. Chickens in G2 were vaccinated with both ND vaccine, La Sota and IBD vaccine, which were given simultaneously at 21 days of age and repeated at 35 days of age. Chickens in G3 were vaccinated with both vaccines but the vaccines were given singly with ND vaccine given at 21 days of age and repeated at 35 days of age while IBDV vaccine was given at 28 days of age and repeated at 42 days of age. Chickens in G4 were vaccinated with IBDV vaccine only which was given at 21 days of age and repeated at 35 days of age. Serum samples were collected from 10 chickens in each group for serology. The chickens in the groups were monitored for feed consumption and weight gain. Results showed that mixed vaccination of the chicken was well tolerated. Mixed vaccination did not affect immune response of the chickens. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in both feed consumption and weight gain among chickens in the different groups.