Occurrence and pathology of various poultry diseases in Himachal Pradesh

Occurrence of various diseases is the major impediment for growth of poultry farming in Himachal Pradesh. The findings of necropsy examination of layers and broiler birds, over a period of 5 years, were analysed according to different age groups and seasons. Parasitic problems, mainly coccidiosis and Ascaridia galli infection, were found to be the major causes of mortality in the birds. Viral diseases observed were IBD, hydropericardium hepatitis syndrome and Marek's disease. Bacterial diseases diagnosed in the birds necropsied were salmonellosis and E. coli infection and mycoplasmal infection observed as chronic respiratory syndrome. Typical cases of nutritional deficiency disorders observed were due to riboflavin deficiency and choline deficiency. In layers mortality due to various diseases was more in yowlger non-laying birds than older ones. The frequency of occurrence of disease problems was more in winter followed by rainy season than in the summer.