Key tips for effective in-ovo poultry vaccination

Learn how to maximize the benefits of in-ovo vaccination of poultry flocks.

Optimal protection is only achieved when vaccines are injected into the amniotic sac or the embryo. Other locations may result in limited or no protection and my injure the embryo. | Courtesy Zoetis
Optimal protection is only achieved when vaccines are injected into the amniotic sac or the embryo. Other locations may result in limited or no protection and my injure the embryo. | Courtesy Zoetis

In-ovo injection has gained commercial acceptance for poultry vaccine administration since its introduction in the 1990s. By injecting the embryo with a vaccine, vaccine protection is established before hatch, preparing the chick for early pathogens exposure. Additional advantages include less handling and stress on day-old chicks, more rapid and uniform vaccination of a large number of eggs and reduced labor costs.

To date, optimization of in-ovo injection has focused on vaccination strategies. For these strategies to be truly successful, the following practical issues need to be fully addressed. 

Location of injection

Optimal protection is obtained when vaccines are injected into the amniotic sac or the embryo itself. Limited or no protection is obtained when vaccines are injected into other locations.

In addition to providing suboptimal protection against disease, injection into the wrong location may injure embryos and reduce hatchability.

Timing of injections

In-ovo vaccine administration should occur around 18-19 days of incubation. At this stage, the embryos should be in the hatching position, with the head under the right wing, and the yolk stalk should have started to enter the abdomen. This timing coincides with the transfer of eggs from the incubator to the hatcher, eliminating extra handling. 

Earlier administration increases injections to the wrong location, while later injection increases the risk of broken eggs, since pipping will have begun, and the shell will have weakened. 

Because incubation and storage inconsistencies can impact embryo development, it is recommended that the stage of development is confirmed before injection.

Good management before, during incubation

Good management practices are critical for maintaining a clean incubator and controlling embryo development. Hatchery managers must:

  • Avoid prolonged storage of eggs before setting.
  • Monitor the incubator for the appropriate temperature, ensuring that the temperature is quickly reached and remains stable.
  • Confirm consistent conditions throughout the incubator. Particular attention must be paid to variations in ventilation and humidity, which can impact embryo growth.
  • Set only clean eggs that are free of hairline cracks. Before in-ovo injection, check for cracked and rotten eggs. 
  • Properly set eggs in the upright position. Slanted eggs may be improperly injected, and upside-down eggs receiving in-ovo injection are unlikely to hatch.

Sterile environment for in-ovo injection

In-ovo injection has the potential to introduce contamination into the egg. To minimize opportunities for contamination during in-ovo injection:

  • Use sterile techniques and follow manufacturer’s instructions when preparing the vaccine for injection.
  • Maintain a sterile environment in and around the injection area.
  • Properly train personnel on aseptic technique.
  • Keep transfer room and hatcher environment clean to avoid contamination through the hole in the shell created by in-ovo vaccination. 

Automation for smaller operations

Although manual in-ovo injection is possible, it is hardly feasible for the number of eggs processed in a commercial environment. 

Using a machine for in-ovo injection facilitates speedy inoculation of eggs, improves accuracy of injection, reduces vaccine volume, and eliminates human error caused by repetition, and smaller businesses have to miss out on these benefits. 

For smaller hatcheries, several equipment companies have developed semi-automated or mobile units. When evaluating in-ovo injection equipment, consider the injection site accuracy, methods used for decontamination, ease of maintenance, available space in the hatchery and the availability of regional technical support.  

In-ovo-needle-close-up

In-ovo injection has the potential to contaminate the egg. A sterile environment must be maintained and manufacturer’s instructions followed when preparing vaccines. | Courtesy Zoetis

 

 

 

 

 

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