Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part O (2024)

Author(s): Mehvish Rafiq, Shayaib Ahmad Kamil, Mehreen Yaqub, Showkat Ahmad Shah, Majid Shafi Kawoosa and Akeel Bashir Beigh

Abstract: The present study was undertaken for assessment of occurrence of Newcastle disease virus in chicken of various poultry farms including district Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam and Sopore of Kashmir valley. Samples comprised of dead chicken from various poultry farms of Kashmir valley, including those from University farms. These samples were brought to Division of Veterinary Pathology for postmortem examinations. Suspected outbreaks of NCD in broiler chicken were identified considering the history, clinical manifestations and observed lesions during post mortem examination of birds. Each suspected flock’s history encompassing details such as flock size, mortality rates and the total number of birds affected in each outbreak was recorded. A total of 32 outbreaks were recorded during the study period from four districts, Srinagar (6), Ganderbal (13), Budgam (8) and Sopore (5). The average strength of the flock affected with the disease ranged between 3000-5000. The highest mortality was recorded in district Ganderbal (53.7%), followed by Srinagar (37.9%), Budgam (33.2%) and Sopore (31.7%). Age-wise proportionate mortality due to Newcastle disease was 19.5%, 30.4%, 27.2, 39.2%, 64.8% in age group of 0-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28 and 29-35 days respectively. The present study recorded that higher mortality associated with Newcastle disease was recorded in the age group of 28-35 days. And among the affected flock mortality ranged between 12.3-64.8%, with overall mortality of 44.7%.