Mortality pattern evaluation in layer and broiler chickens at an organized farm of Northern India

Chauhan, S.S., Sharma, R.K., Singh, S.K., Shukla, S.K., Palod, J. and Singh, M.K. 2020. Assessment of certain feed supplements on antibody titer, faecal pathogens and NPK contents of litter in broilers. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(1): 63–67.

The present study was undertaken to analyse the mortality records of 1409 layer and 1202 broiler parent stock birds in order to assess their age group and season wise mortality pattern. In both layers as well as broilers, maximum cases were observed in age group above 24 weeks of age and minimum were in 18–24^th weeks of age. Maximum and minimum numbers of cases were observed during summer and autumn season, respectively. Yolk sac infection was found to be most common cause of mortality up to six weeks of age in both layer and broiler birds. After one week of age, hepatitis was observed as one of the major diseases in all the age groups. Coccidiosis was seen as the second most common cause of mortality during 6–12 weeks of age. Mortality due to egg peritonitis and egg-bound condition was also observed in adult laying hens. In all the age groups, multiple organ infection was one of the important causes of mortality in both layers and broilers. In the present study, all prevalent diseases were reported throughout year except heat stress in summers and inclusion body hepatitis and enteritis in rainy season. In summers, major reason for the mortality was yolk sac infection although in all other seasons multiple organ infection was the main reason of the mortality in broilers. Most of the infections in poultry birds were because of poor hygienic conditions, therefore, strict quality control of feed and water along with proper hygienic conditions in hatchery could be helpful in reducing the mortality at the farm.