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Livestock Research

Volume 4 Number 1 2026

Article Contents

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RESEARCH ARTICLE   (Open Access)
Contents Vol 4 (1)

Disease Prevalence and Mortality Patterns of Indigenous Desi Chickens in Bangladesh: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Household Survey

M. H. M. Muzakkir1, Nazmul Huda 1, Nazmus Sakib 1, Md Laden Rahman 1, Md Akteruzzaman2, Syed Sarwar Jahan1, Md Shariful Islam1*

+ Author Affiliations

Livestock Research 4 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/livestock.4110756

Submitted: 06 January 2026 Revised: 18 March 2026  Published: 25 March 2026 

Abstract

Background: Indigenous Desi chickens remain an important genetic, nutritional, and livelihood resource for rural households in Bangladesh. Despite their adaptability to low-input scavenging systems, mortality continues to limit household productivity and threatens the sustainability of small-scale poultry farming. This study investigated disease prevalence, mortality patterns, and selected management factors associated with Desi chicken losses across major poultry-rearing regions of Bangladesh.Methods: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted among 399 poultry-rearing households across five major divisions of Bangladesh, including Rajshahi and Rangpur. Information was collected on household characteristics, flock composition, management practices, disease occurrence, mortality causes, and regional variation. Descriptive and statistical analyses were used to identify major mortality drivers and associations between flock health, feeding practices, and disease status.Results: Women were the primary managers of household poultry in 71.5% of surveyed households, highlighting the central role of rural women in Desi chicken production. Native Desi chickens accounted for 84% of the recorded birds, most of which were maintained under traditional scavenging systems. The overall mortality rate was 16%, with clear regional variation; Rangpur showed the highest mortality, approaching 20%. Disease accounted for 76% of all reported deaths, making it the dominant cause of loss. Among disease-related deaths, Newcastle disease was the leading condition, contributing to more than 70% of reported disease-associated mortality, followed by fowl pox and fowl cholera. Predator attacks also represented a substantial non-disease cause of mortality.Conclusion: The findings suggest that targeted disease prevention, improved vaccination access, supplemental feeding, and stronger household-level veterinary support are essential to reduce mortality and protect indigenous Desi chicken resources in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Desi chicken; Newcastle disease; Poultry mortality; Backyard poultry; Bangladesh

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