Vol. 12, Special Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
R Jyothi Priya, A Serma Saravana Pandian, Ganne Venkata Sudhakar Rao, N Pazhanivel, K Vijayarani and T Lurthu Reetha

Abstract:
Respiratory disease complex is considered the most serious disease affecting poultry and causes heavy economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Among the economically important diseases, Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract disease of chicken and has been regarded as a major concern for poultry health and welfare. Keeping in view, the data pertaining to the incidence of ILT were recorded in in various commercial farms in Tamil Nadu. Among 250 birds screened, the incidence of ILT was 34.20%. The highest incidence was observed in 45 layer birds (58.00%) followed by 39 indigenous birds (15.60%), 38 broiler birds (15.20%) and 28 broiler breeders (11.20%). The age-wise highest incidence was recorded in 21-40 weeks old birds (N=14;5.60%). The incidence of ILT was observed throughout the year and the highest incidence was recorded during the months of December (16.00%) and January (15.60%) and thus the highest incidence was recorded in winter (41.20%). The morbidity rate was highest in layer birds (64.67%), followed by growers (26.34%) and brooder chicks (14.53%). The highest mortality rate was recorded in layers (25.45%) followed by growers (14.28%) and brooder chicks (11.39%). The highest reduction in egg production was recorded in the 41-50 weeks old birds compared to the other age groups. Hence, these data served to provide clinico-epidemiological pattern and its economic significance in egg production loss during the study period and to improve the husbandry management and necessary control measures to prevent further outbreak of ILT.