THE EFFECTS OF IBD FIBROGUM-BOVAC VACCINE AND A COMMERCIAL VACCINE ON THE BODY WEIGHT BURSAL WEIGHT AND DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIBODIES IN BROILERS

Abstract

A CHICKEN embryo-fibroblast (CEF) cell culture-adapted infectious bursal disease vaccine (Fibrogumbovac) and a commercial vaccine were studied for their effects on the rate of growth, bursal atrophy and the attainment of antibody level in 450 broilers. 
 No appreciable difference in weight was observed in vaccinated birds when compared with unvaccinated control birds. The birds were vaccinated at the age of 4 week and at 9 week of age the average weights for birds vaccinated with IBD Fibrogum-bovac, the commercial vaccine and unvaccinated controls were respectively 1.949, 2.014 and 1,900kg. The vaccinated birds did not gain weight as rapidly as the controls between the 9th and 14th week (Table 1).
 The relative weight loss per week for the last five weeks (10th to 14th week) averaged 0.7 per cent for the IBD Fibrogumbovac vaccinated birds as compared with control birds. 
 The highest antibody levels recorded in vaccinated birds at the end of two weeks were 1:1024 for Fibrogumbovac, and 1:16 for the commercial vaccine. On the third day after vaccination when the bursa of Fabricius was expected to be largest the average weight of the buçsa of 5 birds was found to be 0.250, 0.135 and 0.245 per cent of body weight respectively for birds vaccinated with IBD Fibrogun-bovac vaccine, the commercial vaccine, and unvaccinated controls.