Prevalence of coccidiosis in layer chicken of selected farms in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District

Abstract

Poultry farming is one of the most important agricultural economic activities done in peri-urban areas where its done under intensive production system. The enterprise is rather risky due fact that disease outbreak can possibly wipe out the entire flock. Among the diseases of concern is coccidiosis. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of coccidiosis among layer chicken and associated routine management practices that affect prevalence of coccidiosis on selected farms in Kajjansi Town Council. Questionnaire was designed to acquire information from farmers regarding the management practices. A representative fecal sample was collected from each of the 60 farms visited, packed and transported to the Central diagnostic laboratory(CDL) for laboratory analysis using floatation technique. The study revealed 43/60 (71.7%)fecal sample had coccidia oocysts, and 68.3% were from deep litter farms. 3.3%were from cage farms. The majority of the farms were deep litter farms 87.3% and cages were 13.7%. The study showed that the prevalence of coccidiosis in Kajjansi Town Council is high and thus mitigation measures have to be undertaken to minimize losses due to disease. Measures include tightening biosecurity on farms and improvement in management practices.