Prevalence of Coccidiosis among local and exotic breeds of reared chickens in Azare Metropolis, Bauchi State Nigeria

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a deadly disease that hampers chickens’ productivity and welfare. The disease is a major menace to the global poultry industry. Coccidiosis is caused by the apicomplexan parasite of the genus Eimeria. This study investigated the prevalence of Coccidiasis amongst the chickens reared in Azare metropolis. A total number of four hundred 400 feacal samples of live and slaughtered chickens were collected and examined using standard parasitological methods between March and June, 2022. The samples comprised of 246 female and 154 male; 300 exotic species and 100 local species. Chi-square test and simple percentage were used to analyze the generated data and p<0.05 was adopted to determine the level of significance. An overall prevalence rate of 173 (43.3%) was recorded. The prevalence rate was higher in female 138 (56.1%) than male with 35 (22.7%). There was statistically significant difference in infection rate between the sexes of the Chickens. The lower age (1-4weeks) had the highest rate of prevalence rate of 64(59.8%) followed by age (5-16weeks) with 97(38.1%) and Adult (16weeks>above) with lowest infection rate of 12(17.6%). Similarly, high infection rates were observed among local breed 64(64%) than exotic breed 109(36.3%). The difference between the age groups and the two breeds in prevalence rate was statistically significant (p<0.05).Coccidiosis is endemic in both local and exotic chickens in the study area due to poor management system. It is therefore, recommended that good management system of rearing the chickens, regular vaccination against Coccidiosis, maintaining good hygienic practice as well as creating awareness among farmers on effect of this disease on their productivity and welfare should be ensured.