Present status of coccidiosis in broiler chicken of Kashmir Valley

Abstract :

The present study aimed at epidemiological investigation of coccidian parasites of broiler chicken reared across the Kashmir Valley. Intestinal ailments are an imperative alarm to the poultry industry and coccidiosis is causing a considerable economic trouble to poultry farmers throughout the world. The current study was planned to determine the seasonal prevalence of coccidiosis, identification and comparative prevalence of different Eimeria species. 780 faecal samples of broiler chicken (litter droppings) were collected from June 2018 to May 2019 for the detection of different Eimeria spp. from the different districts of the Kashmir Valley. Five different Eimeria spp. viz. Eimeria tenella (20.12%), Eimeria acervulina (11.92%), Eimeria maxima (10.25%), Eimeria necatrix (8.84%) and Eimeria mitis (2.69%) were isolated from 293/780 (37.56%) faecal samples. It was also observed that highest prevalence of coccidiosis was found throughout the autumn 49.7% (odds ratio=3.522, 95% CI =2.27-5.462, p-value<0.001) followed by summer 43.8% (odds ratio = 2.771, 95% CI = 1.77-4.32, p-value<0.001) and spring 35.1% (odds ratio= 1.928, 95% CI =1.236-3.009, p-value<0.004), while lowest value was observed in the month of winter 21.9%. Moreover, it was also observed that prevalence of coccidian infection was found to be eminent in broiler chicken having 3-4 weeks of age followed by those having 4-6 weeks of age and less in broiler chicken having 1-2 weeks of age and was 67.23%, 23.54% and 9.21% respectively.


Keyword :

Poultry, coccidiosis, Eimeria, prevalence, Kashmir Valley


Author(s) : Jan, Y., Tanveer, S., Shahardar, R. A., Para, B. A.
Downloads : 32
Published Issue : 2022 Vol. 17 Number 1


2022 Vol. 17 Number 1