African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (23), pp. 2694-2699, 3 December 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Delivery of thermostable Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine to chickens with broken millet grains as the vehicle

Echeonwu, G. O. N.¹*, Iroegbu, C. U.², Echeonwu, B. C.³, Ngene, A.⁴, Olabode, A. O.¹, Okeke, O. I.¹, Ndako, J.¹, Paul, G.¹, Onovoh, E. M.¹, Junaid, S. A.¹ and Nwankiti, O.⁵

¹Federal College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Technology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

³Poultry Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

⁵Viral Vaccines Production Department, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: echeonwugeorgebest@yahoo.com. Tel: +2348033503715, +2348053288007.

Accepted 7 November, 2007

The efficacy of treated broken millet grains as a carrier for delivery of thermostable Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine HRV₄ to free-range chickens in three locations was assessed by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and challenge experiment. Out of 256 birds fed with first dose of the vaccine, 130 (50.8%) produced detectable HI antibody but only 16 (6.3%) attained serum antibody level of log₂ ≥ 3.0 adjudged protective. From the locations, Igumale (74 birds), Kuru (88 birds) Riyom (94 birds), only 1 (1.4%), 8 (9.1%) and 7 (7.4%) attained log₂ titre ≥ 3.0, respectively. A booster vaccine dose 2 weeks later on 236 of the birds led to 126 (53.4%) attaining HI (log₂) titre ≥ 3.0 [Igumale (63 birds), Kuru (86 birds) Riyom (87 birds) had 33 (53.5%), 46 (53.5%) and 42 (48.3%) respectively attaining log₂ titres of ≥ 3.0]. Out of a total of 70 buy-back chickens challenged, 49 (70.0%) survived. The break down showed that from Igumale (20 birds), Kuru (25 birds) Riyom (25 birds), the survivors were 13 (65.0%), 19 (76.0%) and 17 (68.0%), respectively. Out of 28 unvaccinated control birds challenged, only 4 survived.  The overall results showed that millet, if properly treated, could be a good vaccine carrier and that the method of vaccination was relatively efficacious.

Key words: Broken millet, village chicken, Newcastle disease, vaccination.