Secret Layers

Should You Really Vaccinate Your Chicken? The Truth About Vaccines.

Written by

Carlos Deche

in

Should you vaccinate your chicken or not?

That question has been debated for many years among poultry farmers.
Although many people think the answer is obvious, the reality on the ground tells a different story.


Before we go further, let me ask you something.

Did you get the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you did, did you complete all the doses?

As of late 2024, about 70% of the global population received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. However, in many low-income countries like Kenya, only about 38.9% received even the first dose.

Therefore, vaccine hesitancy is not just a chicken problem. It is a human problem too.

For the record, I received my full COVID-19 vaccination.

Because I am in my final year of medical school at the University of Nairobi, I understand how vaccines work in both humans and animals.

Now, let us apply those same principles to poultry farming.


In this article, I will:

Explain how vaccines work.


Address common concerns about chicken vaccination.


Give five clear reasons why you should vaccinate your chickens.


Share practical tips to avoid costly mistakes.


Ultimately, the final decision is yours. However, I encourage you to read carefully so you can protect your birds, your customers, and your profits.

How Do Vaccines Work?

Let me simplify how vaccines work.

Normally, when a disease attacks a chicken, the body produces “soldiers” (antibodies) to fight the virus, bacteria, or parasite. If the chicken’s immunity is strong, those soldiers destroy the disease before serious signs appear.

However, when immunity is weak, the disease multiplies. As a result, the chicken becomes sick and may die.

Fortunately, when a chicken survives an infection, the body keeps memory cells. Because of that memory, the body can respond faster if the same disease attacks again.


So how does a vaccine help?

Simply put, a vaccine contains a weakened or killed form of a disease. When you give it to a healthy bird, the body produces soldiers without causing full disease.

Later, if Newcastle disease, Gumboro (Infectious Bursal Disease), Fowl Pox, or Infectious Bronchitis attacks, the bird is already prepared.

Consequently, the immune system responds quickly and strongly.
That is the basic science behind chicken vaccination.

Layer Chicken Vaccination
Despite what you might have heard, vaccinating your chicken is more beneficial than harmful and honestly, a MUST.

5 Common Concerns About Poultry Vaccination

Although vaccines are widely used in layer poultry farming in Kenya, many farmers still have concerns.

Let us address them honestly.

1. Vaccines Make Birds Sick And Kill Them

Yes, vaccines can cause mild reactions. However, serious death from vaccines is rare when birds are healthy.

In most cases, problems happen because:

The birds were already sick.

The wrong dosage was used.

The vaccine was poorly stored.

Biosecurity was weak.


Therefore, proper poultry biosecurity and correct handling are critical.

2. Vaccines Do Not Work

It is true that vaccines are not 100% effective. However, no medical intervention in the world is 100%.

Even so, vaccinated flocks have much lower mortality during outbreaks of Newcastle disease or Gumboro compared to unvaccinated flocks.

In other words, vaccination reduces risk. It does not eliminate risk completely.

3. Vaccines Contaminate Eggs And Meat

Some farmers worry that vaccines remain in the chicken’s body and make eggs unsafe to eat.

However, approved poultry vaccines are tested for safety. Most do not remain in meat or eggs in harmful amounts when used correctly.

In fact, vaccination often improves food safety by reducing diseases like Salmonella that can contaminate eggs.Therefore, following proper dosage and observing recommended guidelines ensures both bird health and consumer safety.

4. Vaccines Are Expensive

Some farmers believe chicken vaccination increases production costs.
At first glance, that concern makes sense because every input on a poultry farm affects profit.However, vaccines usually make up a very small percentage of total farm costs.
In most layer poultry farms in Kenya, vaccination costs are only a small fraction of feed, housing, and labor expenses.
Therefore, the real question is not “Are vaccines expensive?”
Instead, the better question is, “Compared to what?”
Because disease outbreaks like Newcastle disease or Gumboro can wipe out an entire flock, skipping vaccination is often the more expensive decision in the long run.
We will look at the actual numbers shortly.

5. Conspiracy Theories

Some people say vaccines are brought to kill our birds so that large companies control the egg market.
Others claim vaccines are just a money-making scheme.
However, these simply lack evidence

and cannot be supported.

So, Should You Vaccinate Your Chicken?

Yes.
Here are five practical reasons:

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1. To Prevent Disease

Vaccines were created to prevent disease before it destroys lives or flocks.
For example, vaccination helped eliminate polio in humans and reduce tetanus worldwide.
Similarly, using a proper chicken vaccination schedule protects your birds from deadly poultry diseases.

2. To Reduce Mortality

When your birds are protected, fewer die during outbreaks. Meanwhile, unvaccinated farms suffer heavy losses.
Imagine an outbreak of Infectious Bronchitis in your area. In that situation, vaccinated birds are far more likely to survive than the unvaccinated flocks.

3. Herd Immunity

When most birds in a flock are vaccinated, disease spreads more slowly. As a result, even birds that missed vaccination may have some protection.
Nevertheless, you should always aim to vaccinate the entire flock properly.

4. Better Quality Produce

Food safety matters.
Although salmonella contamination is a known global problem, proper vaccination and good hygiene reduce the risk significantly.

In fact, some egg buyers and large distributors require proof of a proper chicken vaccination schedule before purchasing eggs.

Therefore, vaccination supports both public health and market access.

5. To Save And Make Money

Every poultry farmer is in business to make profit.

Because disease reduces egg production, increases mortality, and raises treatment costs, it directly eats into your income. Vaccination protects your cash flow.

Let us look at the numbers..

Ksh 5,000 for vaccines or Ksh 200,000 loss from total flock death.

Ksh 5,000 for vaccines or Ksh 50,000 spent on treatment.

Ksh 5,000 investment or Ksh 500,000 lost egg income over two years.

Clearly, this is not just about disease prevention. It is about protecting your business.

As the saying goes, if education is expensive, try ignorance.

Likewise, if vaccines seem expensive, try treating Newcastle.

Practical Tips For Vaccinating Your Chicken

First, remember that proper biosecurity is your strongest protection.


Second, consult a local poultry vet about common diseases in your area.

Third, vaccinate birds before they get sick. Vaccines prevent disease; they do not cure it.

Finally, get a clear vaccination schedule from a reputable day-old chick supplier.

Now You Have The Facts

At this point, the decision is yours.
However, if you are serious about layer poultry farming in Kenya, protecting your flock should be a priority.

So ask yourself again: Should you vaccinate your chicken?
If your goal is healthy birds, safe eggs, and steady profits, the answer is clear
If you found this helpful, read my detailed guide on the best layer chicken vaccination schedule for layers to choose the one that fits your farm.

See you next Friday!

carlosdeche4040@gmail.com

secretlayerske@gmail.com

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