Rate of Coccidiosis in Chicken Farms in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Despite large number of chickens in Nigeria, contribution to national economy or benefit from this sector of activity is very limited due to diseases and management, out of which chicken coccidiosis is a leading problem. Coccidiosis is a major problem in the farm with inadequate hygienic measures and factors such as age, sex and biosecurity which are the most common factors that contribute for the occurrence of coccidiosis. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and incidence of coccidiosis in chicken farms in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Selected numbers of chicken farms within Uyo metropolis were used for this study. A total of 100 faecal samples from live birds comprising 62 young and 38 adult birds were randomly collected as bird’s fresh droppings from both young and adult sections of the farm. Samples were analyzed using standard parasitological methods and techniques. An overall prevalence rate of 46%% was obtained. Higher prevalence rates were recorded in young bird as 48.38% while adult had 42.10%. Then five species of Eimeria that were identified include E. tennela, E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. alervuhina and E. brunette at 28%, 25%, 15.6%, 18.8% and 12.5% respectively. . . Therefore, appropriate control strategies should be designed considering important risk factors and focus should be given to biosecurity practices in the prevention and control of coccidiosis. In addition, further studies are needed to be conducted to identify the prevalent Eimeria species for strategic control.