AIRSACCULITIS INDEX IN BROILER CHICKENS FROM A POULTRY COOPERATIVE IN WESTERN PARANÁ: CASE REPORT

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the behavior of airsacculitis in broiler chickens slaughtered under federal inspection (SIF) in a poultry cooperative located in Western Paraná, between July 2024 and July 2025. The evaluated variables included average weight of the birds, kilograms of condemned meat, type of condemnation (partial or total), and slaughter dates, allowing comparisons between seasons and between cold and warm periods. The total volume of meat condemned due to airsacculitis was 190.18 tons, of which 103.73 t occurred in autumn/winter and 86.45 t in spring/summer, representing an approximate 20% increase during colder months. Partial condemnations predominated (≈91%), indicating localized lesions but with significant economic impact due to the high slaughter volume. Temporal analysis demonstrated a relationship between peaks of airsacculitis and climatic variations, especially in September and October 2024, a period of increased humidity and temperature amplitude. These factors, associated with inadequate ventilation and high stocking density, favored respiratory infections and production losses. It is concluded that biosafety measures, efficient ventilation, stocking density control, and vaccination against respiratory diseases are essential to reduce condemnations and ensure economic viability of the production system