Choosing the Right Vaccine Schedule for Your Poultry Farm

Layer and broiler operations face different disease pressures over very different production timelines, which means a one-size-fits-all vaccine schedule rarely serves either well.

Broiler flocks are typically raised for just 5-7 weeks, so vaccination programmes are front-loaded — often a single combined ND-IB dose in the first week or two of life is sufficient to carry birds through to processing.

Layer flocks, raised for a year or more of production, require a more extended programme with periodic boosters to maintain immunity across the full laying cycle, alongside additional vaccines against diseases like infectious bursal disease and fowl pox.

Working with a veterinarian to tailor your schedule to your specific production system — rather than copying a neighbouring farm's programme — is one of the most cost-effective decisions a poultry operation can make.