Research Journal of Poultry Sciences
ISSN: OnlineISSN: Print 1993-5285
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Abstract
A 10 years, 2001 to 2012, study in a multispecies farm was undertaken to investigate the cause of mortality in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared on deep litter in Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria. Clinical signs and gross lesions were also recorded. One viral, four bacterial, two protozoan and three miscellaneous conditions were the cause of mortality. Infectious diseases included Newcastle disease, salmonellosis, colibacillosis and pasteurellosis. The diseases caused 1,411,079 deaths in chicks, growers and adult quails. Smothering was the major (303,600; 21.52%) cause of mortality in chicks followed by salmonellosis (285,360; 20.22%) and Newcastle disease (237,600; 16.84%) in adults. Coccidiosis and histomoniasis caused mortality of 0.60% (8,400) and 0.94% (13,200) in growers and adults, respectively. The signs and gross lesions caused by the diseases encountered in the quails were similar to those reported previously in chickens. It was concluded that Japanese quails are susceptible to diseases affecting chicken and they exhibit similar signs and develop similar gross lesions. As the infectious diseases diagnosed in the quails were also encountered in chickens concurrently reared on the same farm the quails could have been the source of the pathogens for the chickens. Adequate biosecurity and control measures currently practiced in chickens would prevent mortality and spread of disease in quails.
How to cite this article:
J.O. Salami-Shinaba, P.A. Abdu, U. Musa, N.M. Sati, P.R. Kumbish, P.E. Emennaa, M.O. Odugbo, U.M. Mera and P.D. Karsin. Causes of Mortality in Japanese Quails Reared on Deep Litter in Vom, Nigeria.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/rjpscience.2013.73.78
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1993-5285/rjpscience.2013.73.78