EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT TIMING OF ROUTINE VACCINATION SCHEDULES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE MORTALITY RATE AND BLOOD PARAMETERS OF BROILERS
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to find the effect of the delayed routine vaccination
schedules on growth performance, blood parameters and immunity levels of broilers
reared in a humid tropical part of Nigeria. A total of 90 broiler chickens were procured
and sorted into three treatments (control, 1 week delay in vaccination and 2 weeks delay
in vaccination).
The results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in all growth
parameters studied with lower values for broilers with delayed vaccination schedules
(Treatment 2 and 3). Shank length and gains in shank length were not significantly
(P>0.05) affected by delayed vaccination schedule. The blood parameters (PCV and
WBC) values were significantly (P<0.01) lower in birds whose vaccination schedule was
delayed for two weeks, (Treatment 3) compared to other treatments while immunity
levels were significantly (P<0.01) lower in Treatment 3 compared to Treatments 2 and 1
respectively. It was concluded that delayed vaccination schedule of up to two weeks
considerably affected growth performance and immunity status of broilers.
