Background
This study, conducted by M. Snyder Sales & Consulting Inc., evaluated the effectiveness of AquaBeads®, a proprietary hydration and nutritional gel product, as a vehicle for on-farm vaccine delivery in broiler chickens. The trial aimed to assess AquaBeads®’ impact on oocyst shedding, lesion scores, and overall immunity development when used to deliver a coccidiosis vaccine.
Experimental Design
The trial was conducted in controlled floor-pen settings to mimic commercial broiler production environments. Pens were bedded with fresh litter, and chicks were housed under typical commercial broiler management conditions, where natural exposure to coccidiosis was anticipated. A total of 748 day-of-hatch broiler chicks (Ross 708 or Cobb 500) were sourced from a hatchery and randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, each with 8-9 replicate pens:
Treatment 1 (Non-vaccinated, AquaBeads® on day 0): Chicks received AquaBeads® applied directly to feed trays (on top of feed) at placement.
Treatment 2 (Gel-drop vaccination, no AquaBeads®): Chicks received the vaccine via a gel-drop product applied directly to the feed at placement.
Treatment 3 (Vaccinated via AquaBeads® on day 0): AquaBeads® infused with the vaccine were applied to feed trays (on top of feed) at placement.
Treatment 4 (Vaccinated via AquaBeads® on day 5): AquaBeads® infused with the vaccine were applied on feed trays on day 5 after placement.
Fecal samples were collected from pooled droppings in each pen on days 6, 14, and 22 to measure oocysts per gram (OPG). A coccidiosis challenge was conducted on day 22 to assess lesion scores for Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, and Eimeria tenella.
Results
The trial demonstrated the potential of AquaBeads® as a reliable vehicle for coccidiosis vaccination. Treatment 3 (vaccinated via AquaBeads® on day 0) exhibited reduced lesion scores for Eimeria maxima and Eimeria tenella compared to Treatment 2 (gel-drop vaccination), suggesting AquaBeads® provided a more effective and uniform delivery of the vaccine. For example, lesion scores for Eimeria maxima were 2.20 in Treatment 3 versus 1.11 in Treatment 2, while lesion scores for Eimeria tenella were 0.50 in Treatment 3 compared to 0.67 in Treatment 2.
Lesion Scores
Oocyst shedding patterns reflected vaccine efficacy across treatments. Nonvaccinated birds in Treatment 1 exhibited natural exposure to coccidiosis, as indicated by elevated OPG values, suggesting environmental exposure to coccidia in the trial pens. Vaccinated birds in Treatments 2, 3, and 4 showed a controlled immune response, with Treatment 3 demonstrating reduced oocyst counts by day 22 compared to Treatment 2.
TABLE 1: Lesion Scores by Eimeria Species and Treatment Group
| Treatment | E. maxima | E. tenella |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment 1 | 1.33 | 1.33 |
| Treatment 2 | 1.11 | 0.67 |
| Treatment 3 | 2.20 | 0.50 |
| Treatment 4 | 1.60 | 1.00 |
Oocyst Counts
TABLE 2: Oocyst Counts by Day and Treatment Group
| Treatment | Application Description | Day 7 | Day 14 | Day 22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment 1 | Non-vaccinated, chicks receiving AquaBeads® on day 0 | 0 | 25,000 | 277,000 |
| Treatment 2 | Chicks vaccinated via gel-droplet method without AquaBeads® | 15,900 | 148,000 | 139,500 |
| Treatment 3 | Chicks vaccinated via AquaBeads® on Day 0 | 8,500 | 93,000 | 91,500 |
| Treatment 4 | Chicks vaccinated via AquaBeads® on day 5 | 100 | 15,000 | 242,000 |
Conclusion
AquaBeads® proved to be a practical and effective method for delivering coccidiosis vaccines in broiler chickens. The study highlighted AquaBeads®’ ability to provide reliable vaccine delivery, resulting in reduced lesion severity and better oocyst management compared to geldrop vaccination. By integrating AquaBeads® into vaccination protocols, poultry producers can enhance disease control while maintaining practical and efficient management practices. Future studies should further explore dosing and application timing to maximize vaccine efficacy.
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