Mortality patterns in indigenous chickens of Kannur and Kozhikode Districts of Kerala

Abstract

A survey study was conducted to document the pattern and causes of mortality in village chicken farming households of Kannur (N=21) and Kozhikode (N=43) districts of Kerala. In Kannur, mongoose (28.41%) and dogs (6.25%) were the primary predators, while in Kozhikode, mongoose (15.47%) wolves (10.43%) were common. Out of initial stock of 176 and 278-day-old chicks, predation accounted for 37.50 and 59.35% mortality in Kannur and Kozhikode districts respectively. Diseases accounted for 20.45 and 17.27% of mortality in the respective districts. Thus, the overall mortality of 57.95 and 76.62% out of was recorded in Kannur and Kozhikode districts, respectively leaving only 42.05% of the flock in Kannur and 23.37% in Kozhikode at 72 weeks of age. Ranikhet disease was identified as important disease by 33.33% farmers in Kannur, while 27.91% of the farmers in Kozhikode district cited respiratory diseases as major concern. A significant proportion of 42.86% in Kannur and 39.53% in Kozhikode opined disease incidences were higher in summer. Most farmers relied on allopathic and/or herbal medicines for treatment, with 57.14% in Kannur and 44.19% in Kozhikode districts practice own medication to treat the diseases.