INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN INDIAN POULTRY FLOCKS

Chronic Respiratory disease is an economically important disease of chicken caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum. The present study was carried out to study the incidence and factors affecting the incidence of CRD in poultry flocks under Indian conditions. Incidence during different seasons, among different types and breeds of chicken and among different age groups were studied. The overall incidence of CRD was 11.50%. Highest incidence was during summer followed by winter and rainy season. CRD incidence was highest in broiler type birds followed by indigenous and layer type. Among different age groups viz. chicks, growers and adults, the incidence was 6.62, 18.52 and 9.25%, respectively. The incidence was 12.89 and 8.04% in males and females. The results show an alarming rate of incidence of CRD cases in organised poultry farms which needs to be controlled and significant effect of various factors on CRD incidence.