A Preliminary Survey on Eimeria species infecting Chicken in Gharbia Governorate, Mid-Delta of Egypt Original

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Parasitology Departement,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Kafr Elsheikh University.

Abstract

The present study conducted to investigate prevalence of Eimeria species in chickens in Gharbia governorate, Mid-Delta, Egypt. From a total of 800 samples examined, 614 (76.75%) were positive for Eimeria oocysts. According to chicken breeds, white broiler was the most infected 371/614 (46.37%), then Balady chickens 124/614 (15.5%), then Saso chickens 86/614 (10.75%) and lastly layers 33/614 (4.12%). Regarding age, the most affected ages was in-between 31-40 days old 255/614 (31.83%), followed by 21-30 days old 90/614 (11.24%). All districts were found infected with one or more of Eimeria species, the most affected districts were El-Mahalla El-Kubra and Kotoor 95/614 (11. 875% for each district), while ElSanta was the lowest 29/614 (3.625%). Seven species of Eimeria viz., E. tenella, E. acervulina, E. mitis, E. praecox, E. necatrix, E. burnetti and E. maxima were recorded with prevalence of 14.5, 13.875, 13.375, 11.25, 9.5, 8.5 and 5.75% respectively. Eimeria tenella was found the most predominant species in the study area. This study highlight the high incidence of Eimeria species infecting chicken in Egypt and tell new and updated results that might help in controlling such infection. 
 

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