DISEASES OF POULTRY IN ZARIA, NIGERIA: A TEN YEAR ANALYSIS OF CLINIC RECORDS

Abstract

A 10-year study of poultry diseases diagnosed at the Avian clinic of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria was conducted. In all 2999 cases were studied. The commonest diseases afflicting poultry were Newcastle disease, 31.2%, Gumboro 12%, Ectoparasitism 7.7%, Fowl pox 6.8%, Helminthiasis 6.6% and Coccidiosis 6.1%. Most outbreaks occurred in the months of May and June with the highest incidence in 1989. Fowl pox (EP), infectious bursal disease (IBD) and coccidiosis were more prevalent during the rainy season (May-October) while Newcastle disease (NCD) and Aspergillosis were more prevalent in the dry season (November - April). More cases of chronic respiratory disease (CRD), helminthiasis and salmonellosis were found in poultry over 12 weeks old while gumboro, fowl pox and coccidiosis were found more in birds less than 7 weeks old. It was concluded from this study that viral diseases (NCD, IBD, FP) ectoparasitism and helminthiasis were the most important poultry disease in Zaria and young birds were more susceptible. The need for an effective poultry health programme is imperative. It is therefore recommended that effective and uniform vaccinations schedules should be conducted along with regular deworming and ectoparasite control to enhance poultry production