ND and AI diseases investigation in native chickens of two different climates of Isfahan province

To study the ND and AI status of native fowl, 900 native chicks aged 8 to 56 weeks in 60 rural households in a warm-dry climate (Borkhar and Najaf Abad cities) and a cold-wet climate (Khansar and Semirom cities) of Isfahan province were distributed and maintained, At 8, 20, 32, 44, and 56 weeks, 15% of the birds were sampled from wing vein and tested by HI method to determine the antibodies against Newcastle and Influenza diseases, meanwhile by providing cloacal and pharyngeal swabs, the highly pathogenic influenza viruses H5 and H7 was tested using RT-PCR, The mean of anti-Newcastle antibody in Borkhar and Najaf Abad cities was 4.2 and 6.5 respectively, and their mean CV% was 63.7% and 31.9% respectively; The mean anti-Newcastle antibody in the Khansar and  Semirom was 4.5, 5.8, and the mean CV% was 52.1% and 33.5% respectively. The mean of anti Influenza antibody in Borkhar and Najaf Abad was 5.21 and 0.6 respectively, also the mean CV% was 63.7% and 33.0%, respectively. The mean of anti influenza antibody in Khansar  and Semirom was 5.5, 6.2 and the mean CV% was 29.8% and 19.3%, respectively. The molecular tests results of the H5 and H7 was also negative. In overall the incidence rate of birds in the warm and dry climate was more prevalent. The mortality rate due to infectious agents and physical accidents/animal attacks was about 9% and 11%, respectively. In conclusion, it is recommended that combined surveillance and preventive management be applied for native chickens.