EVALUATION OF COCCIDIAL PREVALENCE AND INTENSITY IN POULTRY BIRDS IN MINNA METROPOLIS, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A survey to determine the prevalence and intensity of coccidiosis among poultry birds within Minna metropolis Niger State, Nigeria, was carried out between July and October 2013. A total of 450 fresh faecal droppings and 80 carcasses were collected from 12 different poultry farms within Minna, and analyzed using parasitological techniques. From the 450 faecal samples collected, a total of 166(36.3%) were infected with oocyst of Coccidia. An overall geometric mean intensity of 8.12 oocyst/3g of faeces was recorded. Prevalence of infection was higher in the adult birds (37.2%) than in the younger birds (36.5%). There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the intensity of infection between the age groups. The Eimeria species isolated from the post mortem examination included: Eimeria tenella, E. maxima, E. acevulina, E. necatrix and E. mitis. An overall prevalence of 66.3% infection was recorded from the post mortem examination. E. tenella prevalence was higher than the other Eimeria species. The overall geometric mean intensity of 8.33oocyst/1g of faeces was recorded. However, the intensity of oocysts was not significant (P<0.05). An overall prevalence (55.6%) of single infection and a prevalence (44.4%) of mixed infections of Eimeria species isolated from the post-mortem examination was also recorded. The present study showed that coccidiosis is an important disease of poultry in the study area and suggest that appropriate control and treatment strategies be designed to reduce the effect of the disease.