The economic impact of infection with Eimeria spp. in broiler farms from Romania

ABSTRACT A survey was conducted on chicken broiler farms from Romania in August-November 2010 to evaluate economic losses due to coccidiosis. Data were collected from six broiler farms of different capacity regarding chemoprophylaxis program, weight gain, feed conversion, and mortality, for two previous flocks in two houses of each farm, and finally we evaluated the economic losses. Also, faeces samples were collected and oocysts were classified according to their size, and virulence of each Eimeria spp. field isolate was determined by lesion scoring. Correlations between economic performance, oocysts category, and virulence of Eimeria were assessed by multiple linear regression. Total economic losses per 24 flocks of 18,000 chicks each were about €37,948.2, with an average of €3,162.4 per flock, and they were caused by mortality (34.8%) and poor feed conversion (65.2%). Poor body weight gain was associated with AM oocyst category (presumptively E. acervulina and/or E. mitis), high lesion score in the duodenum, and coccidiostat used for chemoprophylaxis. Feed conversion ratio was linked to the same parameters as body weight gain, minus chemoprophylaxis programme, plus total lesion score. The percentage of mortality was influenced by the lesion score in the caecum and total lesion score. Statistical analysis showed that epidemiological survey of broiler flocks during the grower period can help the farmer to avoid important economic losses due to coccidiosis. As in other countries, the economic losses caused by coccidiosis in Romania are important, and a good prophylaxis programme can reduce the economic impact of coccidiosis.

摘要：2010年8月至11月，针对罗马尼亚的肉鸡养殖场开展了一项调查，以评估球虫病引发的经济损失。研究从6个不同养殖规模的肉鸡养殖场收集数据，采集内容包括各养殖场两栋鸡舍内前两批肉鸡的化学预防方案、增重情况、饲料转化率及死亡率，最终对经济损失进行评估。此外，研究人员收集粪便样本并根据卵囊大小进行分类，同时通过病变评分法确定每一株野外分离艾美耳属（Eimeria）虫株的毒力。采用多元线性回归法分析经济性能、卵囊类别与艾美耳属虫株毒力之间的相关性。每批饲养18000羽肉鸡的24批肉鸡群总经济损失约为37948.2欧元，单批平均损失3162.4欧元，损失主要由死亡率（34.8%）和饲料转化率低下（65.2%）导致。增重不良与AM卵囊类别（推测为堆型艾美耳球虫（E. acervulina）和/或缓艾美耳球虫（E. mitis））、十二指肠高病变评分以及用于化学预防的抗球虫药使用情况相关。饲料转化率与增重不良的相关参数基本一致，但不包含化学预防方案，同时加入了总病变评分这一指标。死亡率占比受盲肠病变评分及总病变评分的影响。统计分析结果表明，在肉鸡育成期开展鸡群流行病学调查，可帮助养殖户避免球虫病引发的重大经济损失。与其他国家类似，罗马尼亚的球虫病经济损失不容忽视，而完善的预防方案可有效降低球虫病带来的经济影响。