Evaluation of primary mortality rates of broiler farms in Qom district in agricultural year 2012-13

The main aim of this study was to investigate level and pattern of primary mortalities of broiler farms، and the effects of different in-farm and out-farm factors. Data from managing cards of 476 damaged farms (from a total of 1،062 units) were obtained from Agri-Bank insurance bureau and mortalities of total and the first three weeks were calculated، transformed in Log10 basis and analyzed by one-way ANOVA and regression statistical methods. Mortalities of total and damaged farms were 24 and 46. 11% and mortalities of the first three weeks were 1. 59، 1. 18 and 4. 17%، respectively. Chick strain، season، farm technical level، ventilation/lighting class، ownership and breeder flock characteristics such as hen age، chick weight، and the titers of four main contagious poultry diseases had no significant effect on 1st week mortality rate. Breeder company، regions of the studied geographic area، farm capacity، number of salons، feed provision method، farm distance to village and between saloon distance significantly affect the first week mortality rate (P<0. 05). Peak of first week mortality was in the fourth day، coincided with the broiler standards from the rate and pattern standpoints. At day 21 and 14، about 41. 1 and 11. 5 percents of farms faced with a serious problem. The regression analysis revealed that total mortality had no relation with first week mortality and after 2 weeks، contagious diseases occurred. This survey demonstrated that first week mortality pattern of broiler farms is near standard; breeder factors was non-significant and the most important factors were geographic situation، salon type and breeder company. Early after the second week، farms faced with different diseases and there was no relation between total farm mortalities and chick qualities.