In vitro and in vivo characterization of avian Escherichia coli. III. Immunization.

Broiler breeder hens were vaccinated once at 20 weeks or twice at 20 and 25 weeks of age with a formalin-inactivated oil-emulsion Escherichia coli bacterin composed of serogroups O2, O78, and O35. Serological responses as assessed by microagglutination documented an increase in serotype-specific antibody in vaccinated birds. Challenge of progeny from vaccinates and nonvaccinates with homologous E. coli demonstrated that maternally derived antibody could protect against mortality and/or lesions for as long as 2 weeks post-hatching.