Menu
Few challenges in turkey production test our mettle quite like the prevention and control of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). Outbreaks can devastate flocks, impacting both bird health and profitability. At a recent regional meeting held by the MTGA, Dr. Eric Shepherd, Senior Technical Service Veterinarian with Zoetis, delivered a presentation that cut straight to the heart of the issue: how to practically apply the avian metapneumovirus vaccine in the field for turkeys. His talk was no-nonsense, occasionally wry, and replete with real-life know-how. Here, we’ll break down Dr. Shepherd’s key points, along with best practices for ensuring successful vaccination.
Know Your Vaccine and Keep It Cool
The first takeaway from Dr. Shepherd’s presentation was the importance of storing the vaccine correctly. “When you are starting to mix this vaccine, cold is better,” he emphasized. “You need to keep it in a cooler…don’t take it out the fridge and throw it in your seat.” He pointed out that a live vaccine will lose effectiveness when exposed to warmer temperatures, stressing, “If it gets warmer, it is gonna start to lose effectiveness and it is gonna start to die.”
Proper transport also matters. As Dr. Shepherd put it, “You need to bury this vaccine in [wet] ice. Because cool air falls…you gotta pay attention to keep it cool.” That means not just tossing an ice pack in the cooler, but ensuring the vials are fully surrounded so they remain consistently cold.
Water vs. Spray Application: Different Roads, Same Destination
Dr. Shepherd addressed two fundamental ways to deliver the vaccine: via the drinking water or by spraying. While producers may be “very familiar with…water application,” especially through medicator systems, he highlighted that spray can be more effective for turkeys in many scenarios. As he said, “Spray is really the best way to apply these vaccines. And let me go ahead and say…whatever vaccine you use is your business.” He acknowledged different manufacturers and how each may have distinct recommendations, but he underscored that following the correct technique was more critical than brand selection.
The Mechanics of Spraying
In practice, spraying involves a backpack sprayer—often described as a garden sprayer—or a specialized battery sprayer. Dr. Shepherd admitted they can be cumbersome to use. “Backpack sprayers suck, to be honest, especially in the summer,” he quipped, referring to the physical toll of carrying a 35–40 pound sprayer (once it’s filled with water). Still, he insists it’s worth the effort because of the targeted coverage it can provide.
For best results, plan to have “two people to do this,” one person to manage the birds and another person to operate the sprayer. Turkeys can be skittish, and a single individual can have a hard time both moving the flock and spraying consistently. Dr. Shepherd recommends turning off fans if possible, “because that low relative humidity…is basically going to just evaporate those small droplets,” reducing vaccine effectiveness. If you’re worried about forgetting to switch them back on, or if local conditions require continuous ventilation, adjust your technique accordingly—just be mindful of the risk of droplets evaporating mid-air.
Dial in the Droplet Size
“If you can keep it coarser, that’s the way to go,” said Dr. Shepherd of the ideal spray quality. He explained that a very fine “fog” tends to float upward and vanish before it contacts the birds. A coarse spray, meanwhile, falls directly onto the turkeys, moistening their eyes, nostrils, and mouth. That up-close contact fosters the immune response. “We’re not really going for inhalation. We’re trying to coat their nose, their eyes, their mouth,” he clarified.
He also mentioned using food coloring as a practical indicator. “Put some dye in the vaccine. It’ll be blue or purple, green or whatever you use…Best way to see if those birds are wet…We’re trying to cook their nose, their eyes, their mouth…get that blow up of antibody production.”
Dosage and Coverage
Determining how many gallons of water per thousand birds can be tricky, so be prepared for trial and error. “You’re going to screw it up the first time,” Dr. Shepherd said. This trial can help you figure out the right flow rate to ensure every bird receives a proper dose. If you run out of vaccine before finishing the entire flock, don’t hesitate to “go mix a little bit more and do it again.” Over time, the pattern becomes clear, and you’ll know exactly how long it takes to traverse a barn and how much vaccine mixture you’ll need.
Dr. Shepherd also recommended using a little extra vaccine. “Use a little more than you have to,” he advised, clarifying that it isn’t about selling more product—rather, it’s about compensating for inevitable minor losses along the way.
Post-Vaccination Cleanup
Finally, remember to rinse and properly store your sprayer. “If you use some kind of disinfectant, glory mercy, please rinse it all out,” Dr. Shepherd said with a laugh, emphasizing that leftover chemicals can kill the vaccine during the next application. Moreover, he noted that “bacteria and fungus loves to grow in anything moist and dark,” so letting equipment dry thoroughly is equally essential.
Key Takeaways
Dr. Shepherd’s practical wisdom lays out an uncomplicated roadmap:
“Hope is not a strategy,” Dr. Shepherd reminded attendees, adding that you must take an active, intentional approach to protecting your turkeys. That means properly mixing, applying, and monitoring every vaccine dose. Whether your barn is old, new, big, or small, these methods can be adapted to ensure even coverage and robust immunity across the flock.
Vaccinating turkeys against avian metapneumovirus may be neither glamorous nor easy, but with the right knowledge, tools, and preparation, you can deliver consistent results. In Dr. Shepherd’s plain-spoken words, “You just gotta get out there and do it…do it to the best of your ability, and you always set yourself up for success.”
