Egyptian pigeon vaccination calendar — Newcastle, pox, Salmonella

Educational content for breeders — not a substitute for veterinary advice. Doses and treatments here are general; actual diagnosis and treatment must be supervised by a veterinarian.

In the basic programme article we explained the three vaccines no loft can do without. Here we arrange them on the Egyptian year: exactly when, why that date, and what ruins a vaccination even when it was given.

⚠️ Brand names, doses and injection method are on the vet's advice and per each vaccine's leaflet. This article only arranges the dates.

The golden rule: vaccinate 3–4 weeks before the danger

A vaccine does not protect the same day — the body needs two to three weeks to build immunity. So every date below is calculated before the season when the disease is active.

The calendar

September – October: Newcastle (paramyxo)

Paramyxo becomes active with the winter cold and birds crowding together. Vaccinating in autumn gives immunity that covers the whole winter. Birds never vaccinated before get a dose followed by a booster as the leaflet says — then yearly.

February – March: pox

Pigeon pox is carried by mosquitoes, and its season runs from late spring to autumn. Vaccinating two months before it means immunity is ready the moment the mosquitoes appear. Very useful for squabs that will hatch in spring — vaccinate them as soon as they reach the age the leaflet specifies.

4 weeks before the breeding season: salmonella (paratyphoid)

Salmonella hits eggs and young squabs and causes swollen joints and a dropped wing. Vaccinating before pairing protects the parents and reduces transfer of the bacteria to the squabs. If you breed all year round, make it yearly in the same month.

Rules that make a vaccination work

Never vaccinate a sick or stressed bird. A bird with coccidiosis or worms has a busy immune system — treat it first, then vaccinate a week later. See coccidiosis.
Do not vaccinate during a heavy moult — the body is building feathers, and the response to the vaccine drops.
The vaccine stays refrigerated from the shop to the loft — a warm vaccine = useless water.
A clean needle for each group, and the injection site as the type requires (usually under the skin of the neck).
Record the date in the Vaccinations tab in the app for every bird — you will know exactly who was vaccinated and who wasn't, and the app reminds you of the next dose.
A new bird is vaccinated in quarantine before it enters the loft.

What is not needed?

There are other vaccines (such as herpes and adeno) that are not routine in Egypt and not always available — they are given if the vet sees a reason. Do not pile on vaccines without cause — every vaccine is a small stress.