Every hen that is protected has the potential to produce more. However, in commercial breeder production, Escherichia coli (E. coli) can be everywhere, and the predisposing environmental factors are impossible to eliminate. Each factor can spark colibacillosis and respiratory distress, increase mortality and reduce flock performance.
Poulvac® E. coli is the only available modified-live E. coli vaccine that is safe for birds.1 With protection against E. coli comes improved livability, more eggs per hen and higher productivity.2,3
Demonstrated results
One study measured protection in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. The birds were vaccinated at one day after hatch, given a 14-week booster and then challenged at week 20 with E. coli serotype 078 isolate.2
Poulvac E. coli:
- Reduced pericarditis lesions from 68% to 33%
- Reduced airsacculitis from 80% to 38%
- Reduced mortality from 60% to 12%
Effect of Poulvac® E. coli on challenged flocks

p-value: Less than or equal to 0.05
it pays to protect

Breeder production managers can realize return on investment by reducing mortality just 0.5% with two doses of Poulvac E. coli. Keeping 2,250 pullets in production in a 450,000-hen complex would result in a total return of about $120,000 on a $12,000 investment — a potential ROI of about 10-to-1.
- 2,250 hens x $13 per-pullet costA = $29,250 in mortality savings
- 158 hatching eggs x 25.9 cents per hatched chickA x 2,250 hens = $92,074 via increased revenues
This product can lead to even greater livability improvements.
A Inputs from 2019 industry analysis. Per-hen production estimated at 158 eggs.
REDUCE THE RELIANCE ON ANTIBIOTICS
E. coli remains one of the breeder industry’s most common reasons for antibiotic treatment.
With Poulvac E. coli, breeder complexes can meet the increasing needs of food retailers. The vaccine can help reduce overall antibiotic reliance in both breeder and progeny broiler flocks.