Comparative Studies on the Prevalence of Coccidiosis in Indigenous (Gallus- Gallus domesticus) and Exotic Breeds (Layers) in Benisheikh Town, Borno State

1A.A.G. Benisheikh, 2Isyaka Tom, 3Zainab .Y. Thamus, 4Kyari .A. Sanda and 5Biu. A.A.

¹North-East Zonal Biotechnology Centre of Excellence, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

²Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

³Department of Basic Sciences, Mohamet Lawal College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, Borno State.

⁴Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

⁵Department of veterinary Microbiology, University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

E-mail Address: abbaganabenisheikhali@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A survey was conducted to determine the comparative studies between Gallus-gallus domesticus and exotic breeds of chickens and prevalence of coccidiosis in Benisheikh Town, Borno State. A total of 211 chickens were examined in four wards of Benisheikh town. Sixty (60) chickens were examined from North (Lawanti ward), 70 chickens from South (Ajari ward), 37 chickens from West (Mallamti ward), 44 chickens from East (Kasula ward) respectively. 211 chickens surveyed consists of 106 (50.2%) were Gallus-gallus domesticus and 105 (49.8%) were exotic breeds. 122 (57.8%) were between 12 and 36 months (Adults) while 89 (42.2%) were between greater than 18 months (medium). There was however, no statistical difference ages (x2 = 0.60, df = 1, p = 0.44). One hundred and thirty 130 (61.6%) of the chickens had coccidian parasite in their sample. Coccidiosis infection of these 74 (35.1%) were males while 56 (26.5%) were females but the difference was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.005). infection rate was higher among the Gallus-gallus domesticus 32 (38.8%) than the exotic breeds 48 (22.8%) and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The identification of coccidiosis based on their morphometry and region of intestine affected by coccidian species revealed that, E. tenella, E. nacatrix, E. brunetti, E. maxima measured 19 x 22.6, 14.2 x 16.7, 21.7 x 26.8 and 22.6 x 29.3 microns respectively. With E. tenella found in schizont and oocyst in ceca, E. nacatrix found in small intestine oocyst, intestine mucosa, E. brunetti in intestinal wall thicked, and E. maxima found in blood flecks in exudate as their region of intestine affected sites respectively. These findings may be useful to evaluate the infection potential when considering control programs in Benisheikh town and its vicinity.