OCCURRENCE OF SUBCLINICAL EIMERIA INFECTION IN COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARMS IN KADUNA, STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Subclinical avian coccidiosis can result to significant decrease in production performance in affected flocks, even if the birds do not showing classical symptoms of the disease and it is regarded as one of the major causes of production losses in poultry industry. The present study determined the occurrence of subclinical Eimeria infection in commercial poultry farms in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from a total of 123, apparently, healthy commercial poultry farms (consisting of 93 layer and 30 broilers flocks) across eight Local Government Areas of Kaduna State. The samples were tested for the presence of Eimeria oocysts using simple floatation test. Of the 123 flocks sampled 30% had subclinical Eimeria infection. Although the prevalence rates varied in the different strata of the study area, there was no significant statistical association (= 7.587, P > 0.05) between locations of the flocks sampled and the occurrence of the subclinical Eimeria infection. There was 26.9% and 40.0% occurrence of the infection in layers and broiler flocks, respectively, which was insignificantly associated (= 1.856, P > 0.05) with the type of flock sampled. It was concluded that subclinical Eimeria infection is common and wide spread in commercial poultry farms in the study area, suggesting that the performance of most of the affected flocks might not be optimum induced by poor nutrient utilization due to the possible transient intestinal damage caused by the infection.