FIELD VACCINATION FIELD VACCINATION 3.2 Water Vaccination Using the drinking water systems in poultry housing is a common method to administer live vaccines. Prior to vaccination, birds must be water restricted for approximately one to two hours to ensure all birds are ready to drink once the vaccine is administered. Water consumption is an important variable to calculate so that the correct amount of water can be used to mix with the vaccine. For houses with water meters, the consumption rate is easily obtained. Without a water meter, the information in Table 2 shows water consumption for broilers at different ages (estimation provided by Dr.
Tom Tabler, Mississippi State University Extension Service Department). When medicators are available in the house, a practice run using only water two days before vaccination will verify the amount of water needed. When using a water pump, it is assumed that the amount of water to be used for vaccination should be approximately 30% of the daily intake. COBB VACCINATION MANAGEMENT GUIDE COBB VACCINATION MANAGEMENT GUIDE Table 2. Water consumption per 1000 birds each day.
Broiler Age Minimum Consumption Maximum Consumption Average Consumption (Days) liters gallons liters gallons liters gallons 54 290 76.5 374 98.8 331 87.5 16 7 50 13.3 73 19.4 61 16.0 108 28.4 143 37.9 21 146 38.7 212 56.1 175 46.2 189 49.1 271 71.7 35 224 59.1 324 85.5 275 72.6 251 66.2 365 96.4 49 254 67.2 370 97.7 325 85.9