Coccidiosis of turkeys on industrial farms in the Central Region of Russia

The purpose of the research is to study the spread of coccidia infections in turkey poults on industrial turkey farms in the Central Region of Russia.Materials and methods. Turkey poults were studied for coccidiosis by the following life-time diagnostic methods: coproscopic examinations according to Darling, McMaster and Fülleborn. The material to evaluate protozoal diseases spreading in turkey poults was results of our own laboratory studies of the biomaterial (dung samples) and carcass dissection fndings. When studying the age dynamics of the turkey poults’ infection with Eimeria spp. on the poultry farms in the Central Region, young birds aged 7 days and older were studied until the completion of the technological cycle of production, every 14 days, by examining at least 20 fresh dung samples and 10 scrapings from the floor. To determine the seasonal dynamics of infection, the samples were taken from the poultry buildings in January in winter season, April in Spring, July in Summer, and October in Autumn.Results and discussion. The highest coccidia infection rate was detected at the age of 35–49 days in young males (Infection Prevalence, 30–45%), and 35–63 days in females (Infection Prevalence, 5–30%). The turkey poults were infected with Eimeria spp. throughout the year with minor seasonal variations. The young birds’ age had a more noticeable effect on the infection rate in the turkey poults. The external environment (floor, walls, and feeders) was contaminated with infective coccidia elements by 5–31.3%.