Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted between November, 2013 and June, 2014 to determine the prevalence of chicken coccidiosis, identify Eimeria species and assess different risk factors in free ranging and intensively managed chickens. Test tube flotation technique was used for qualitative study of coccidian oocysts. Of 384 chickens examined, an overall prevalence of 19.5% (75) was found. The prevalence of coccidiosis was accounted 17.7% (95%CI = 13.2 - 23.0), 44.8% (95%CI = 33.2 - 56.8) and 4.7% (95%CI = 1.3 - 11.6) in Chelaleki, Burka-jato and Bake-jama, respectively. The prevalence was significantly different between breed (χ² = 5.1, p = 0.021), management (χ² = 15.9, p = 0.000) and age (χ² = 7.1, p = 0.008). However, no statistically significant difference (χ² = 0.03, p = 0.865) was found in the prevalence of coccidiosis between sex. Among different species of Eimeria isolated Eimeria tenella and Eimeria acervulina were identified to be the major cause of the disease and each accounted 29(38.7%) of the total isolate of infected birds followed by 13.33% Eimeria necatrix and 9.33% Eimeria maxima. In conclusion, the present study showed that coccidiosis was an important disease of poultry in the study area and therefore, poultries infected with this parasite should be treated, chicken house should be periodically cleaned and disinfected as well as effective biosecurity measures should be in place.

Key words: Coccidiosis, Eimeria, flotation, prevalence, oocyst.