Vaccination schedule
Put in the date the chicks landed and get the programme with real dates against it, so it can go on the shed wall instead of being worked out each week.
SALE AROUND TUE, 27 OCT
- 0Day
Marek’s + ND/IB
Hatchery — subcutaneous and coarse spray
Normally already done before the chicks reach you. Confirm it on the delivery note.
Tue, 22 Sept - 6Day
Newcastle (LaSota) + IB
Eye drop, or drinking water
Eye drop gives a more reliable take than water.
Mon, 28 Sept - 8Day
Avian influenza H9N2, killed
REGIONALSubcutaneous, neck
H9N2 is endemic and spikes in Mar–Apr and Oct–Nov. Widely used in Pakistan; discuss with your vet.
Wed, 30 Sept - 13Day
IBD (Gumboro), intermediate
Drinking water
Withhold water 1–2 hours first so the flock drinks the dose quickly.
Mon, 5 Oct - 19Day
IBD booster
Drinking water
Sun, 11 Oct - 22Day
Newcastle (LaSota) booster
Drinking water
Wed, 14 Oct - 28Day
Newcastle, killed
Subcutaneous
Only for cycles running past ~40 days, or under heavy local ND pressure.
Tue, 20 Oct
This is a general template, not veterinary advice. Vaccination dates depend on maternal antibody levels, the vaccine strain you buy and the disease pressure in your district. Confirm the programme with your veterinarian before using it.
Getting a good take
Withhold water first
One to two hours before a drinking-water vaccine, so the flock drinks the full dose quickly rather than over an hour.
Skim milk powder in the water
Two to three grams a litre neutralises chlorine, which otherwise kills a live vaccine before the birds get it.
Never vaccinate a sick flock
A live vaccine on top of an active infection makes both worse. Treat first, then vaccinate.
Eye drop beats water for ND
Slower to administer, but far more reliable uptake — worth it for the primary Newcastle dose.
Keep the cold chain
Vaccines that have warmed in transit may be inactive. Check the vial and the supplier’s handling.
Record the batch number
If a cycle breaks with disease, the batch is the first thing your vet will ask for.