KINETICS OF ANTIBODIES IN SERUM, EGG YOLK AND DAY-OLD CHICKS AGAINST INFECTIOUS BURSAL DISEASE IN CIDCKEN BROILER BREEDERS

Abstract

Ten broiler breeder flocks were selected for serum and egg yolk antibody titres against infectious bursal disease (IBD). Serum and yolk sac of the chicks hatching from the eggs of the same breeder flocks were also studied for antibody titres. Geometric mean titre of various flocks varied from 9 to 59 in serum and 20 to 127 in the eggs. The titres were maximum at 4 weeks post-vaccination which showed a drop at 8 weeks postvaccination. Titre against IBD wen� comparatively lower in chicks than the corresponding titres in the parent tlocks. GMT in yolk sac of the chicks revealed relatively higher values than the serum titres of the respective chicks.