Vaccination in poultry; Every poultry farmer wants to have effective laying birds, but for various reasons, birds may not function as expected. According to a recent study, vaccination against E. coli (Escherichia coli) can increase egg production.
Researchers have discovered that immunizing birds against Escherichia coli has both productivity and illness prevention benefits.
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Vaccination is costly, but it is well worth it if you want a healthy and productive flock. A costly disease in poultry, avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) can affect broilers, breeders, and layers.
According to Manuel Da Costa, DVM, PhD, associate director of outcomes research at Zoetis, it can be detrimental to profitability in long-lived birds because it occurs after the upfront cost of growing birds to their point of lay.
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A recent study looked at how much protection laying hens got from a live E. coli vaccination against the same strain (O78).
Research Methodology
The research was carried out in Indonesia, where O78 and O2 strains were isolated and delivered to experimental facilities.
Two houses were used to house the birds. The birds in one group were challenged at 23 weeks, whereas the birds in the other group were confronted at 44 weeks.
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Experiment Treatments
The birds were divided into cages by vaccination status (vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated) and challenge type in each group (O78, O2, and non-challenged).
Procedure
Spray vaccinations were given at 2 and 12 weeks of age. Birds were sampled one week after the challenge for APEC lesion evaluation.
Results and Discussions
The difference in death was remarkable, with the vaccinated flock having a mortality rate of nearly ten times lower, according to Da Costa. “If you have an APEC challenge in your area, it certainly pays off to vaccinate birds,” he noted.
Importantly, egg production was assessed in the late-challenge home for up to 45 weeks, and vaccinated birds were considerably more productive.
Conclusions
The findings of this study also suggested that early E. coli exposure in the environmental flock was insufficient to stimulate an immune response and promote protection.
Managing avian surroundings, in addition to immunization, is a key approach to reducing APEC, according to Da Costa.
“Having appropriate environmental circumstances — high air quality, good sanitation, chlorination of the water, and sanitization of the water — will be critical.”
He stated that while APEC might be the primary cause of sickness, it is frequently a secondary infection.
More resources:
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