A survey of mortality in three adult broiler breeder flocks

Abstract

A survey was carried out on the causes of mortality in three broiler breeder flocks during the laying period from May 1976 to February 1977. Five hundred and forty-two birds were examined. The commonest causes of death in the females were reproductive disorders (24.9%), cellulitis or injury due to cannibalism (24.0%), kidney lesions (9.5%), liver haemorrhage (7.1%), Marek's disease (4.9%) and staphylococcal synovitis/tenosynovitis (4.1%). Mortality in the males was due mainly to staphylococcal synovitis/ tenosynovitis (33.8%) and acute heart failure (14.3%).