Mandatory Vaccination & Deworming

The Big Three Vaccines

Newcastle Disease: The most common killer. It causes twisting of the neck, green diarrhea, and sudden death.
- Schedule: Day 7, Week 3, and every 3 months thereafter.
Fowl Pox: Causes scabs or warts on the unfeathered parts of the head and snood. It is spread by mosquitoes.
- Schedule: Usually given at Week 6 via a wing-web prick.
Gumboro (IBD): Though more common in chickens, it can weaken a turkey’s immune system.
- Schedule: Check with your local vet for the hot strains in your area.

Blackhead Disease: The Turkey’s Greatest Enemy

If you see a turkey with “sulfur-yellow” (bright yellow) droppings and a drooping head, it likely has Blackhead.

The Source: It lives in the cecal worms of poultry. The eggs of these worms can survive in the soil for years.
The Prevention: You must deworm your turkeys every 8 to 12 weeks using a broad-spectrum dewormer (like Levamisole or Piperazine). If your turkeys are free-range or touch the bare ground, this is even more critical.

The Vaccination Golden Rules

Only vaccinate healthy birds: If a bird is already coughing or weak, the vaccine might actually kill it.
The Cold Chain: Vaccines are alive. If they get warm, they die and become useless. Always carry your vaccines from the agro-vet in a cooler box with ice.
Water Quality: If giving vaccines through water, ensure the water is free of chlorine (don’t use tap water unless it has sat out for 24 hours). Chlorine kills the vaccine.

Local Example: Musau’s Calendar Habit in Machakos

Musau lost his entire first flock to Newcastle because he “forgot” the second dose. For his second attempt, he drew a massive calendar on the wall of his turkey house using a permanent marker. He marked every vaccination and deworming date in RED. He also told his wife and oldest son the dates. If he wasn’t home, they knew the “Red Dates” were the most important days on the farm. He hasn’t lost a single bird to a preventable disease in three years.

Important Things to Keep in Mind

Keep a Medicine Log: Write down the date, the vaccine name, and the “Batch Number” from the bottle. If the vaccine fails, you need this info for the manufacturer.
Withdrawal Periods: Never sell a turkey for meat if it was vaccinated or treated with antibiotics in the last 7 to 14 days. It is dangerous for the person eating the meat.
Biosecurity First: Vaccines are a backup. The best medicine is keeping strangers and other birds away from your flock (we will cover this in the next step).