The pattern of prevalence of chicken eimeriasis in the Republic of Armenia

The article presents data on epidemiological features of chicken eimeriasis in poultry farms in northern regions of the Republic of Armenia – Gegharkunik, Tavush, Shirak, and Lori. According to research data, chicken eimeriasis is widespread in target areas (extensiveness of the Eimeria infection was equal to 22.55%, 34.1%, 27.27%, and 30.86% respectively), and often occurs as a mixed invasion with ascariasis, capillariasis, and syngamosis. Eimeria necatrix is the most prevalent Eimeria species in all targeted regions. Eimeria acervulina is the least common species in Armenia. The pattern of Eimeria species distribution was the same for all the regions. It does not depend on climatic and natural condition, as well as on poultry breed. Poultry eimeriasis is generally registered among chickens of 10 to 180 days of age, while one of the pronounced and frequently occurring pathomorphological changes is hemorrhagic inflammation of the caeca mucous membranes. The extensiveness of eimeriasis depends both on the climatic and geographical features of the region, and on the conditions of the poultry keeping, which must be taken into account when carrying out a complex of preventive, veterinary and sanitary measures.