Transverse study of Eimeria spp. infection in broiler and layer chickens in central Kashmir

The present study was carried out to isolate and identify various species of Eimeria and to study overall prevalence of coccidiosis in central Kashmir (Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam). A total of 45 outbreaks, 15 from each district, of coccidiosis in chicken were recorded over the period of two years. A total of 15, 15, 10 and 5 outbreaks were recorded in chicken of 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 weeks of age and layers, respectively. The overall mortality in the flocks was 2.6%, with the highest mortality of 3.2% recorded in the age group of 3-4 weeks. An overall prevalence of coccidiosis among the total necropsies was 10.63%. A total of seven different species of Eimeria were identified in broilers and layers namely E. tenella, E. acervulina, E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. mitis, E. praecox and E. brunetti. Among these species, E. tenella (39.7%) was recorded with highest and E. brunetti (3.1%) with lowest prevalence in broilers, whereas, in case of layers E. necatrix (27.7%) recorded highest and E. mitis, E. praecox and E. brunetti (2.7%) recorded the lowest prevalence. Morphometrically, oocyst of Eimeria maxima (30.4 × 20.8 μm) and Eimeria mitis (16.21 × 16.0 μm) exhibited the largest and smallest sizes, respectively. Most of the Eimeria species had a sporulation time of 18 h with highest in Eimeria maxima (30 h) and lowest in E. praecox (12 h).