Pathomorphological alterations associated with gastrointestinal system of chickens in Patna district

Genetical and managemental transformation of commercial poultry to meet the nutritional demands of increasing population can negatively affect the delicate balance among the components of the chicken gut leading to disturbances in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients, decreased feed conversion ratio and growth rate and production losses. The present study was conducted to study the occurrence of different pathomorphological affections of GIS in poultry with reference to age and season. A total of 500 dead birds in farms located at Patna district were necropsied and the lesions were critically recorded. Out of all these birds, 310 birds were found to be having affections related to GIS. Highest incidence of GIS affections was noticed in the monsoon season and least in spring season. Similarly, age-wise analysis revealed maximum incidence in the birds of 0-2 weeks age, while minimum incidence in the birds of more than 20 weeks of age. Among different components of GIS, Intestine was most affected organ while oesophagus was least affected. Histopathological lesions that range from degenerative to inflammatory changes were noticed in different organs of GIS.