Existence of Coccidiosis and Associated Risk Factors in Broiler Chickens in Southern Punjab, Pakistan.

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of coccidiosis in broiler chickens in district Muzaffargarh-Punjab-Pakistan. Out of 500 gut samples examined, during the months of July 2009 to June 2010, the overall prevalence found was 65%. Two hundred fecal droppings from different broiler farms were also investigated during the same period. The prevalence of coccidial infection among adult broiler chickens was 30.18% and among young broiler chickens was 65.95%. Four species of Eimeria; Eimeria tenella (40.92%), Eimeria maxima (31.38%), Eimeria mitis (18.15%) and Eimeria necatrix (9.53%) were recorded. The prevalence of Eimeria infections was highest in the month of September (73.68%), while lowest during April (47.83%). The prevalence of coccidiosis was higher at the farms where the management practices were not satisfactory particularly keeping the litter dry. A strong correlation was found between the prevalence of coccidiosis and age of the chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]