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