Mortality pattern of Giriraja chicks under deep litter system in various seasons

The present study was conducted to evaluate the mortality pattern of Giriraja chicks in different seasons reared under the deep litter brooding system during 2010 and 2011. The mortality percentage during the first, second and third week of brooding and the cause of death were assessed for different seasons. The overall recorded mortality percentage in brooding chicks were higher in monsoon (11%), followed by winter (6.6%) and summer (6.2%). During all the seasons, the mortality rate was highest in the first week of brooding followed by the second and third week. Among the three seasons, the mortality percentage during the first week of brooding was higher in winter season (54.55%). However, during the monsoon season, a higher mortality percentage of 33.33% and 18.18% were observed in the second and third week of brooding, respectively. The mortality of brooding Giriraja chicks were due to omphalitis, coccidiosis, pneumonia, colibacillosis, debility and miscellaneous causes. The major cause of mortality was due to omphalitis and its highest incidence was noticed in winter