Epidemiological investigation of morbidity and mortality of improved breeds of chickens in small holder poultry farms in selected districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: A longitudinal study was conducted in six intensive and three semi-intensive poultry farms in Shebedino and Dale districts of Sidama Region, Ethiopia from November 2018 to May 2019. The objectives of the study were to estimate incidence rates of mortality and morbidity, identify the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality and establish differential diagnosis of major diseases affecting poultry in the area. Chickens belonging to two breeds namely Sasso, and Bovans Brown reared in purposively selected small-scale farms was included from two districts. The chickens on the selected farms were monitored for morbidity and mortality every week. Diagnosis of different diseases was made based on the flock history, age of birds, clinical signs, characteristic gross and microscopic lesions, and fecal flotation technique for coccidiosis. Semi-structured questionnaires were also administered to gather information on the risk factors and farming practices. RESULTS: The incidence rate of morbidity and mortality in the studied farms was 16.14 and 12.69 per 1000 chicken-week at risk, respectively. The minimum and maximum incidence rates of morbidity were 2.02 and 58.43 cases per 1000 chicken-week at risk, respectively. The minimum and maximum incidence rates of mortality were 0.21 and 58.18 deaths per 1000 chicken-week at risk, respectively. Among the risk factors studied feed type, age of chickens, and number of sick chickens on farms were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the incidence of disease. Age of chickens and number of sick chickens found on the farms were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the incidence of death using multivariable logistic regression. Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD), Fowl typhoid, and Coccidiosis were the important diseases identified during the follow up period in the study area. Of the overall mortality and morbidity, 90.48% and 42% were respectively attributed to ND. Infectious bursal disease and Coccidia co-infection occurred in 31.55% of chicken in the infected farms. CONCLUSIONS: The present study documented the incidence rate of morbidity and mortality in smallholder poultry farms in selected districts of Sidama Region. The study findings indicated that infectious diseases appear to be a major constraint to improve chicken production in the study areas. Therefore, the veterinary and livestock authorities should take this into account when planning poultry development activities and setting up systems of livestock production and health monitoring.