author(s)
Hagh-Poor Mokhtar, Garedaghi Yagoob

abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015 in and around Marand city, Iran with the objectives to determine the prevalence of poultry coccidiosis. A total of 384 faecal samples were examined using flotation technique to detect coccidian oocysts. The study revealed 35.2% were positive for coccidian oocysts. The prevalence of coccidiosis was accounted 14.8%, 23.1%, 26.9%, 32.2%, and 62.3% in Zonouze, Yamchi, Dolatabad, Koshksaray and Markazi respectively. Significantly (P<0.05) highest prevalence of coccidiosis was recorded in White leg horn (26.9%) and local breed chicken (24.6%). Among age group higher prevalence rates (47.6%) was observed in young (2-8 weeks) than adult chicken. Young chicken had 2.6 (OR=2.6, P>0.05) higher risk of acquiring coccidiosis than adult. Higher prevalence of 45.2% was recorded in intensive poultry birds as compared to chicken kept under extensive management system (24.6%). Even though relatively higher prevalence of coccidiosis was recorded in male (36.7%) than female chicken (34.5%), but no significant difference (P>0.05) was obtained. In conclusion, the present study showed that coccidiosis is an important disease of poultry and this warrants appropriate control strategies need to be designed in order to reduce the impact of poultry coccidiosis in the study area.