Are you confused about which vaccines to give your layers and when to give them?
Many farmers feel frustrated because there are different vaccination schedules for layers online. Even reputable hatcheries sometimes give slightly different timelines.
I will make it simple for you in this post.
But before we see the full vaccination schedule for layers, here are 5 key things every farmer should know:
1.Local Diseases Matter
Different areas have different common poultry diseases.
For example, in areas with infectious coryza, the coryza vaccine will be included in the schedule.
Tip: Check with neighbors or your local vet to know which diseases are common in your area. This will help you plan your vaccines better.
2.Most Schedules Have The Same Vaccines
Common vaccines include: Marek’s, Newcastle (ND), Gumboro (IBD), Fowl Pox, and Fowl Typhoid.
You will see these in most schedules.
Tip: Keep a small notebook with your vaccination dates. It makes it easy to track boosters and avoid missing doses.
3.Timings Can Be Confusing
Different schedules online can seem very different. Don’t panic. Focus on the principles.
Tip: Don’t compare schedules from different regions. Focus on what matches your region and farm conditions.
4.Follow Your Hatchery
Always use the vaccination schedule given by your chick supplier.
Registered and licensed hatcheries know what works best for your area.
Tip: If your supplier gives a printed schedule, keep it in a safe place. Refer to it every week to stay on track.
5.Consult A Local Poultry Vet
Even if your supplier gives a schedule, a local vet can advise you based on diseases common in your area.
Tip: Even a quick phone call can save you money and prevent disease outbreaks.
These five principles will save you confusion and help you vaccinate your layers properly.
Common Patterns In Vaccination Schedules
After reviewing many schedules online, I found two main patterns:
Simple schedules: Direct, easy to follow, covering common diseases.
Complex schedules: From licensed hatcheries like Kenchic. More detailed but credible.
Both work if you follow the 5 key principles above.
What I Use For My Birds
I follow the schedule given by my supplier.
I follow the Kenchic schedule because I buy my chicks from them and my farm is in Kenya.
Vaccination Schedule 1 (Simple)
0–8 Weeks: Brooding & Early Grower Stage
| Day/ Week | Vaccination | Method |
| 1 | Mareks | At Hatchery |
| 7 | New Castle -HB1 | Eye drop Drinking water |
| 14 | Gumboro (IBD) – First | Drinking water |
| 21 | Gumboro – Second | Drinking water |
| 28 | New Castle -Lasota | Drinking water |
| Week 6 | Fowl Pox | Wing stab |
| Week 8 | New Castle – Lasota | Injection |
8–18 Weeks: Grower to Point of Lay
| Week | Vaccination | Method |
| 10 | Gumboro (If disease high in your area) | Injection |
| 12 | New Castle – Lasota | Drinking water |
| 14 | Fowl Typhoid | Injection |
| 16 | Deworming | |
| 18 | New Castle Sometimes plus IB | Injectiom |
Laying Period (18–80 Weeks)
| Week | Vaccination | Method |
| Every 6-8 weeks | New Castle – Lasota | Drinking water |
| Every 8-12 weeks | Deworming | |
| Every 3 weeks | Fowl Typhoid booster |
Vaccination Schedule 2 (Kenchic)
Note: Kenchic’s schedule is more detailed, which is helpful for larger farms or areas with high disease pressure.
Follow and stick to your supplier’s recommended schedule.
Following a proper vaccination schedule for layers protects your birds, saves money on vet bills, and keeps egg production steady.
Even small farms can achieve healthy flocks if vaccines are given on time.
Let me know in the comments if you use a different schedule or have any tips to share.
I publish weekly videos on starting and running a profitable layer poultry farm on my YouTube channel.
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https://youtube.com/@secretlayerske?si=bWp5FOirXm6kyXrg
See you next Friday!
carlosdeche4040@gmail.com secretlayerske@gmail.com
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