Description: Drinking water is commonly used for mass vaccination with live vaccines.
Performance criteria: Sufficient vaccination coverage is achieved.
Minimum requirements
Water systems (water lines and nipples) are clean and free of detergents and disinfectants.
All equipment used for vaccination is carefully cleaned.
Nipples and drinkers are checked for any blockage or leakage before vaccination.
Only clean water of drinking quality is used.
The pH is above 4.
Deprive birds of water for one to two hours before vaccination.
Vaccinate early in the morning as this is when birds will exhibit peak drinking activity.
Use skimmed milk. Once the milk is added to the water, leave it to stand for 15–20 minutes (to neutralise the chlorine) before using it for reconstituting and administering the vaccine.
After vaccination:
Complete the vaccination by writing the name and batch number of the vaccine used on the shed chart or vaccination schedule.
Flush water lines of vaccinator.
Best practice options
Use a water stabiliser with a dye.
Use an automatic dosing device.
Evaluate vaccination coverage – Conduct crop and tongue scoring to check drinking water vaccination.
