Flock-level prevalence of Eimeria species among broiler chicks in northern Jordan

Six chicks (3-6 weeks of age) were taken randomly from each of 200 broiler farms in northern Jordan, these chicks were submitted for post-mortem and parasitological examinations. Seven Eimeria spp. were identified: E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. necatrix, E. mivati, E. mitis, and E. tenella. Half (50%) of the farms surveyed had all six chicks infected, 23% of the farms were free of the infection. E. tenella was the most prevalent species (39%) followed by E. necatrix (12%), E. brunitti (12%), and E. maxima (10%). Prevalences did not vary by flock size. Also, neither the use of coccidiostat nor previous coccidiosis clinical outbreaks was associated with the prevalence of coccidiosis. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.