Abstract
This study was conducted in and around Yabello, Southern Ethiopia, with the objective of determining the prevalence of poultry coccidiosis and its associated risk factors. Faecal samples were collected from total of 384 chickens. Floatation technique was used to detect coccidian oocyst. The result revealed that out of 384 chickens, 74 were positive to coccidiosis and overall prevalence was 19.3%. The frequency of detection of oocyst in the faecal samples from exotic and local breed chicken were 18 and 20.4%, respectively. The result of the current study disclosed that the prevalence of coccidiosis was almost similar in female (19.6%) and male (18.2 %) chickens. The prevalence rates of 18.4 and 21.9% were recorded in chicken grouped under the age category of 2-8 weeks (young) and greater than 8 weeks (adult), respectively. The prevalence rates of 21.6 and 18% were also recorded in good and poor body condition, respectively. Furthermore, coccidiosis occurrence in intensive and extensive management system were 22.1 and 16.7%, respectively. In conclusion, even though the difference for all risk factors was statistically insignificant (p>0.05), the study showed that coccidiosis is important disease of poultry in Yabello district, Southern Ethiopia and this is an indication for intervention to tackle the disease without any priority within the risk factors. Key words: Coccidiosis, poultry, prevalence, Yabello district.
Highlights
Poultry coccidian are strictly host-specific and the different species parasitize specific parts of the intestine
The highest prevalence rate (22.1%) was observed in chicken reared in intensive management system and the lowest prevalence rate (16.7%) was observed in extensive management system
The prevalence rates of 18.4 and 21.9% were recorded in chicken grouped under the age category of 2-8 weeks and greater than 8 weeks, respectively
Summary
Poultry coccidian are strictly host-specific and the different species parasitize specific parts of the intestine. The most common and pathogenic species that affect the poultry is Emeria tenella, resulting in 100% morbidity and a high mortality due to extensive damage of digestive tract (Singla et al, 2007; Awais et al, 2012). Losses due to mortality following a severe outbreak may be devastating and incidence rates as high as 80% were sometimes observed in the country (Alamargot, 1987). There are some previous works done on poultry coccidiosis in different regions of Ethiopia, there is no literature documentation in this study area. This study was designed with the objectives of determining the prevalence of poultry coccidiosis and identifying the associated risk factors
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