1.Make sure that all conduit pipes, tubing, troughs, drinkers etc are thoroughly clean and free of any trace of disinfectants, detergents, soap, etc.

2.Allow water to be consumed so that levels in drinkers are minimal before vaccine is applied. If water is still present, drain lines before applying vaccine. Apply vaccine over up to 3 hours, ensuring that all birds drink during this time. Birds 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. The aim is to give every bird one dose of vaccine.

3.Open the vaccine ampoule under water and dissolve thoroughly. As the concentrated vaccine is slightly viscous, care should be taken to empty the ampoule and its top completely by rinsing them in water. Then thoroughly dissolve in a 1 litre jug and stir well before mixing with more water in a two gallon bucket before application. Vaccine must be stirred thoroughly for several minutes at each stage. Do not split large vials to vaccinate more than 1 house or drinking system, as this leads to mixing errors. Apply diluted vaccine to cold and fresh water at the rate of 1,000 doses of the vaccine to 1 litre of water per day of age for 1,000 chickens, eg 10 litres would be needed for 1,000 10 day old chickens. Low-fat skimmed milk powder (ie <1% fat) may be added to the water (2–4 grams per litre) or skimmed milk (1 pint per 5 gallons of water) to increase the stability of the virus. All tubing should be emptied of plain water, so that the drinkers contain only vaccine water. Ideally vaccine should be administered in the volume of water consumed by the birds in up to 3 hours. If in doubt, measure water intake the day before administering vaccine.

4.Administer the dissolved vaccine to birds immediately after dilution.

5.Avoid exposure of the vaccine suspension to sunlight.

6.Water used for drinking water administration of a live virus vaccine must be non-chlorinated and contain as few as possible metal ions.

1.Use a suitable sprayer and restrict use for vaccine only. If the Falcon 5S sprayer (5 litre capacity) is used, replace the standard nozzle on this sprayer with a flat fan tip model –Lurmark tip –colour coded pink –reference no. 01F80. A black plastic lance adaptor will also be needed for this nozzle. The Cooper Pegler Knapsack sprayer, model CP3 is already equipped with the plastic lance adaptor, but the Lurmark flat fan tip nozzle should be fitted.

2.Pump sprayer up to 2 atmospheres and do not allow the pressure to drop below 1 atmosphere, when it should be recharged back to 2.

3.Use 1 litre (1,000 ml) of room temperature water per 1,000 chicks, allowing 15–20 seconds per 150 chick box. Spray the sides of the box first from a height of 12–18". Ensure no water spillage by rotating the sprayer end to spray into the box at each turn. The operator may need to stand on a box to correctly spray two chick boxes at the right angle. Hold birds in boxes for approximately 30–45 minutes following vaccination. 500/750 ml has also been used with success. Ensure the temperature of the holding area is 70–80°F and draught free, to avoid chilling.

4.Whilst Poulvac Bursine 2 is very resistant to low levels of chlorine, copper and organic matter etc, it is advisable to use good quality water, eg deionised water. Treat water with milk powder, if necessary, but ensure that there are no particles which may block the spray nozzle.

5.Consult Fort Dodge Animal Health for further advice on the application of Poulvac Bursine 2 to day old broiler chicks in an automated sealed cabinet in the hatchery.