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Risk factors associated with early respiratory disease complex in broiler chickens
N L Tablante1, P Y Brunet, E M Odor
1Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maryland at College Park 20742, USA.
Avian Diseases
|September 24, 1999
Summary
Early respiratory disease complex (ERDC) in broiler chickens is linked to farm management. Larger flock sizes increased ERDC risk, while shorter layout times were associated with reduced disease incidence.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Poultry Science
- Animal Husbandry
Background:
- Early respiratory disease complex (ERDC) affects broiler chickens aged 2-3 weeks, causing significant mortality.
- Clinical signs include depression and respiratory distress, with postmortem findings of airsacculitis, fibrinous pericarditis, and perihepatitis.
- Colisepticemia is identified as the primary cause of death in affected flocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early respiratory disease complex (ERDC) and specific farm management factors.
- To identify risk factors contributing to the incidence of ERDC in broiler chickens.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study was conducted over a six-month period (January-June 1997).
- Data were collected from four broiler integrators located on the Delmarva peninsula.
- Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were employed to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Flock size was found to be positively associated with the occurrence of ERDC (P = 0.02).
- Layout time demonstrated a negative association with ERDC, indicating a protective effect (P = 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Farm management practices, specifically flock size and layout time, are significantly associated with early respiratory disease complex (ERDC) in broiler chickens.
- These findings suggest that optimizing flock size and minimizing layout time could be crucial strategies for mitigating ERDC incidence.