AviPro IBD Xtreme Lyophilisate for Use in Drinking Water for Chickens

Vaccination programme:
The determination of the vaccination date depends on a number of factors including status
of maternal antibodies, type of bird, infection pressure, housing and management
conditions.
In the case of a vv (very virulent)-IBD field challenge the field virus is extraordinarily
virulent and requires the use of a vaccine able to break through relatively high levels of
maternally derived antibodies (MDAs). AviPro IBD Xtreme can break through a maternal
ELISA-antibody level of 636.
Homogenous levels of MDA levels facilitate a more accurate timing of the vaccination.
To predict the age, when MDA have sufficiently decreased to allow effective vaccination, it
is advised, to test serum samples of at least 20 chicks by serology and apply the
“Deventer Formula” for intermediate plus vaccines.
According to this formula the optimum age of vaccination is as follows:
1. Decide what percentage of the flock shall be representing and remove the highest titres
that are excluded (e.g. 75 % of the flock; remove the highest 25 % of the titres).
2. Calculate the mean ELISA antibody titre of these birds.
3. Vaccination age = {(log2 titre bird % - log2 breakthrough) x t_} + age at sampling
+ correction 0-4 (Bird % = ELISA titre of the bird representing a certain percentage of
the flock
t_ = half-life time (ELISA) of the antibodies in the type of chickens being sampled
Age sampling = age of the birds at sampling
Correction 0-4 = extra days when the sampling was done at 0 to 4 days of age)
Birds should be at least 7 days of age at vaccination. The optimum age for vaccination
may be calculated using the level of maternal antibody in the chicks at day old (“Deventer
Formula”) but normally lies in the range 12-21 days. Additional information on application
and disease control is available from Elanco Animal Health.
Ensure that the drinking water is cold, clean, non-chlorinated and free from detergents,
disinfectants and metal ions.
AN: 03155/2025 & 03156/2025Page 4 of 6
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Drinking water application:
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not split large vials to vaccinate more than 1 house or drinking system, as this may lead
to mixing errors.
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free of any trace of disinfectants, detergents etc.
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Low-fat skimmed milk powder (i.e. < 1 % fat) may be added to the water (2-4 grams per
litre) or skimmed milk (20-40 ml per litre of water) to improve the water quality and to
increase the stability of the virus. This, however, has to be done at least 10 minutes
prior to reconstitution of the vaccine.
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should be taken to empty the ampoule and its top completely by rinsing them in water.
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applied. All tubing should be emptied of plain water, so that the drinkers contain only
vaccine water. If water is still present, drain lines before applying vaccine.
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drinking behaviour varies, it may be necessary to withhold water on some sites prior to
vaccination in order to ensure that all birds drink during the vaccination period.
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up to 2 hours. As a general rule, apply reconstituted vaccine to cold and fresh water at
the rate of 1 000 doses of vaccine to 1 litre of water per day of age for 1 000 chickens,
e.g. 10 litres would be needed for 1 000, 10 day old chickens. Under hot climates or
with heavy breeds this amount may have to be increased up to a maximum of 40 litres
per 1 000 birds. If in doubt, measure water intake the day before administering vaccine.
– Administer the reconstituted vaccine to birds immediately.
– Make sure that birds do not have access to unmedicated water during vaccination.
Avoid stress before, during and after vaccination.
Use the whole contents of the opened bottles at once.
To reduce infection pressure before the onset of immunity, litter should be removed and
chicken housing cleaned between rearing cycles.