Mortality pattern of broiler chicken reared in Kashmir: Effect of season and age

Present study was undertaken to investigate the mortality pattern among broiler chicken in Kashmir. Samples comprised of mortalities from various poultry farms operating in Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam, Districts along with their adjoining areas during April 2014 to June 2015. Disease diagnosis involved systematic approach based on the history, clinical signs and lesions, after following a thorough post mortem examination. Monthly, seasonal and age-wise mortality distribution; case prevalence of diseases / disease conditions; disease-wise, month-wise, seasonal and age-wise proportionate mortalities were worked out. Out of a total of 16935 necropsies, higher proportionate mortality was encountered during autumn (41.17%), followed by spring (24.93%), summer (23.63%) and winter (10.27%). Higher proportion of carcasses belonged to 0-7 day age group. Necropsy examination revealed highest case prevalence for collibacillosis (29.873) followed by respiratory tract affections (20.466%) throughout the year. Other diseases/disease conditions observed include, Sudden Death Syndrome, Omphalitis, Ascites, Hepatic Affections, Salmonellosis, IBD, Nephrosis, Coccidiosis, Visceral gout, Nonspecific enteritis, Newcastle disease, and Aspergillosis. While most of the diseases were prevalent throughout the year, occasional out breaks of ND, IBD, and aspergillosis were recorded. The case prevalence and proportionate mortality showed marked seasonal and age effects for different diseases.