Abstract

Disease is a major constraint to poultry production in all rearing systems. A seven-year review (2017-2023) of case reports of poultry diseases diagnosed at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and the State Veterinary Clinic, Aliyu Jodi, Sokoto, Nigeria, was conducted. A total of 19,872 cases were documented within the study period, with 3,835(19.30%) cases of salmonellosis being the most prevalent, then helminthosis [3,702(18.6%)], and the lowest were heat stress 109(0.5%), and bumble foot 94(0.5%). Generally, the months of April and January recorded the highest 2,453(12.3) and lowest 1,274(6.4) disease occurrences, respectively. The year 2018 had the highest number of cases [3,305(16.6%)], but declined sharply in 2019 [2,832(14.3%)] and tapered towards 2023 [2,703(13.6%)]. Overall, bacterial diseases were the most common [8,454(42.6%)], followed by viral diseases [6,947(34.8%)], and least in non-infectious diseases [1,09(0.5%)]. Turkeys suffered more cases [5,897(29.67%)], then layers [5,116(25.74%)] and lowest in local birds [4,374(22.01%)]. The rainy season had the highest number of cases of 10,408(52.38%), with avian pox (2,462 cases) being the highest, followed by infectious coryza, fowl cholera, and helminthosis during this period. From the management systems, deep litter had the highest number of cases [12,926(65.05%)], and the lowest [6,946(34.95%)] in the battery cage. The findings indicate that poultry in Sokoto are at high risk of helminthosis, avian pox, Newcastle disease, salmonellosis, chronic respiratory disease, infectious coryza, and fowl cholera, being the most common poultry diseases in the study area. These may negatively impact production and farmers’ income, highlighting the need for effective disease control measures.

Key words: Bird type, Management system, Poultry diseases, Salmonellosis, Season, Sokoto metropolis