PREVALENCE OF COCCIDIAL INFECTIONS AMONG SHEEP FLOCKS IN ZARIA AND OBSERVATIONS ON RAISING COCCIDIA-FREE LAMBS

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Date
2014-12-09
Authors
ADEWUYI, ADEBO A.
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Abstract
A survey of ovine faecal coccidia was carried out in four farms in Zaria area in order to assess the seasonal and age distributions of coccidial infections under the prevailing husbandry practices. Twenty per cent of the sheep population in each farm were sampled twice during the pre-rainy (April - June), rainy (July - September), pre-dry (October - December) and dry (January - March) seasons. The same animals were sampled throughout the study period. The faecal examinations revealed that varying percentages of sheep in the flocks were shedding coccidia oocysts during the seasons. However, high prevalence of coccidia oocysts was recorded during the rainy and pre-dry seasons. Differences in prevalence of coccidia were found for different age groups. The highest prevalence figure was recorded in the seven to fifteen months old age group. The findings of this study indicate that coccidial infections are important in intensively reared sheep flocks in Zaria area. This could assume economic importance during the rainy and pre-dry seasons and among the weaner lambs. Two sets of cages were designed and constructed for experimental rearing of coccidia-free lambs. The details of the construction were described. Six Yankasa and six Uda lambs removed from their dams within 6 hours of birth were used. The lambs were reared free of coccidia for a period of nine weeks. However, patent infection became apparent by the 13th week involving two Uda lambs which died in the 15th week. The experiment was terminated at the 17th week. This study showed that it is possible to raise coccidia-free lambs in this environment. It is recommended that coccidiafree lambs should be used for the purpose for which they are reared within 5 to 10 weeks using our rearing conditions.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science. Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Keywords
PREVALENCE,, COCCIDIAL,, INFECTIONS,, SHEEP FLOCKS,, ZARIA,, OBSERVATIONS,, RAISING,, COCCIDIA-FREE,, LAMBS.
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