African coccidiosis

Poultry coccidiosis by Mwangi Mumero Across Africa, poultry farmers have to grapple with four main diseases namely New Castle, fowl typhoid, coccidiosis and Gumboro. And in West Africa, 52 per cent of chicken mortality in Ghana and 80 per cent of young chicken in Nigeria is attributed to coccidiosis, according to findings published in African Journal of Ethnobiology. Globally, the disease leads to 51.38 per cent of overall chicken deaths. In Kenya, the prevalence of coccidiosis is highest according to a study conducted at the University of Nairobi which shows that it accounts for over 35 per cent of all poultry diseases diagnosed. For instance, Western Kenya- where chicken is considered a local delicacy- prevalence of the disease is over 48 per cent. “The disease is perhaps the most common in the country affecting broilers and even in indigenous chicken. Rural farmers only notice the problem once their chicken start dropping dead after a spell of low production”, observed Dr. Maina Chege, a Nyeri based veterinary officer. Coccidiosis is a poultry disease caused by coccidia protozoa that is characterized by diarrhea, decreased feed consumption, rough feathers, brownish to bloody mucus in feaces as well as reduced growth and egg production. “Under poor poultry rearing systems, mortality can exceed 60 per cent, a huge loss for farmers across the country. Signs of an outbreak include the birds becoming pale, droopy and tend to huddle as in cold with feed consumption dropping dramatically. Farmers should take quick steps at this point to avert deaths”, notes Dr. Chege. In most African countries, 70 per cent of the poultry production and 20 per cent of the animal protein intake come from indigenous chicken. For instance, in rural Kenya, every household has some chicken providing the vital proteins through eggs and meat. Indigenous chicken also provide a quick source of money in case of emergencies and they have to be sold fast in rural markets. Chicken also provided guano- a form of farmyard manure needed in improving soil fertility and food production. But diseases such as coccidiosis can hamper progress in poultry production from free range systems to more sophisticated battery cage systems. “We have to spend some monthly income to buy coccidiostats to control these problems which has been an issue in my farm for a while now. Chicken dropping marked with blood- a sign of coccidiosis is quite common in the farm”, observes George Thumbi, a smallholder poultry farmer in urbane Kitengela Estate on the outskirts of Nairobi. Like other urban farmers, Thumbi raises between 50 and 100 chicken- mainly indigenous or crosses to supplement the family protein sources as well as earn some extra coins when eggs are sold to a local supermarket. “The disease increases the overall cost of production in terms of purchase of drugs and occasional loss of birds through deaths”, he says. Experts say that coccidiosis can easily be managed through hygiene and provision of prophylactic drugs in for of coccidiostats. These are mixed in water or feed and taken on regular basis to control the disease. It is common to introduce the coccidiostats in certain feeds such as starter and finisher feeds in broilers. Chick and duck mash also have coccidiostats. But hygiene in the poultry units remains the key in stemming the tide of the disease. The protozoa are transmitted through ingestion of contaminated feed or water in the poultry houses. “The protozoa causing the disease prefer wet places and eliminating dampness the poultry houses is vital in reducing cases of the diseases. Wet litter habours the coccidian for long periods and it is therefore necessary to turn litter and occasionally change it completely”, asserts Dr. Chege, the vet. According to vet, feeders and waterers should be placed in a place where they will not be contaminated by feaces. They should also be in good condition to stop spillage. At the same time, a good flow of air- through adequate ventilation helps to remove dampness and accumulation of ammonia gas in the poultry house. Overcrowding is another chief contributor to fast coccidiosis transmission. Too many birds increase dampness, contaminate waterers and feeders as they scramble for feeding space. “Equally diseases are transmitted faster once the birds are in close proximity as contamination of feed is fast through infected feaces. Ammonia gas which accumulates in the poultry unit affects growth of chicken and especially broilers”. In Kenya, majority of the smallholder and large scale farmers use the deep litter system to rear their poultry. However, without proper maintenance of litter –diseases such as coccidiosis are quite prevalent in the wet litter. “Litter has to be changed when introducing new flock immediately after cleaning and disinfecting the floor. Persons entering the poultry unit must also dip their gumboots into an antiseptic to reduce introduction of the coccidian into the poultry house”, warns Dr Chege. During an outbreak, experts recommend the use of anti-coccidial drug given according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. At the same time, the use of vitamin-anti-biotic formula in drinking water medication is necessary to support the recovery process. In Ghana, West African research has shown that neem extracts can be used by rural farmers as an alternative to expensive cocciostats. Over the years, the neem tree has been recognized to contain chemicals used in curbing parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi. The research, Aqueous extracts of Neem (Azadiracta indica) as possible first aid against coccidiosis in chicken in rural setting in developing countries, suggests that application of simple aqueous extracts of neem parts may act as first aid. It is concluded that the neem bark seem the most potent as anti-coccidia in chicken. The neem barks were oven dried-dried at 50 degrees Celsius and pulverized with a hammer. The aqueous extracts are then prepared by placing a known quantity in nine times its volume of drinking water overnight at 25 degree Celsius (Room temperature). Decanting is then done and is designated as 10 per cent concentration. It may later be diluted. (ends)