Developmental Performance of an Egg Injection Machine for Administration of Marek's Disease Vaccine

Abstract

The results of these studies show the progression in the development of the INOVOJECT® system for the in ovo administration of Marek's disease vaccine to commercial broiler eggs (embryos). The initial studies were conducted using a large egg injection machine prototype and in subsequent studies a smaller prototype. Statistical and numerical analysis of the results showed that hatchability, two-week mortality, livability to the time of processing, and live body weight were similar for both the INOVOJECT® treatment and the conventional treatment. The INOVOJECT® treatment consistently (six of seven studies) resulted in lower feed conversion ratios and reduced settlement costs compared to the conventional treatment. Finally, the leucosis and total condemnations were similar in the INOVOJECT® treatment compared to the conventional treatment, a factor which demonstrates the field efficacy of in ovo administration of Marek's disease vaccine.