INCIDENCE OF COMMON POULTRY DISEASES IN SELECTED POULTRY FARMS IN OWERRI, IMO -STATE, NIGERIA FROM 2013 – 2017

Abstract

A survey on the incidence of common poultry diseases was carried out in five selected poultry farms in Owerri North and Owerri West Local Government Areas of Imo State for the period of January 2013 to December 2017. The diseases investigated include: Newcastle disease, Infectious Bursal disease, Coccidiosis, Fowl typhoid and Chronic Respiratory disease. The farms were Lambert Farm and Engrobic farms in Owerri West Local Government Area; Odimara farms, Ben and Baba Khojo farms and Chiawuotu farms in Owerri North. Data were collected in the selected farms on percentage mortarlity rates of each disease. The prevalence of Coccidiosis was slightly higher than other diseases investigated. Newcastle Disease recorded 1.22% of total percentage mortatily, Infectious Bursal Disease recorded 0.6%, Coccidiosis recorded 1.24%, Fowl typhoid recorded 0.58% and Chronic Respiratory Disease recorded 0.38%. Most of the diseases occurred during the rainy season [April to October] of the years. Most of the poultry farmers were male and within the age range of 32-50 years. Poor management, inadequate diagnostic facilities, improper vaccine handling, self medication coupled with harsh weather conditions were responsible for the distribution pattern. It therefore becomes imperative for poultry farmers to instituite and intensify biosecurity measures inorder to minimize emergence and transmission of these diseases.