[Coccidiosis during the rearing of broiler breeding stock in Limburg].

Increasing complaints concerning the rearing of broiler breeding stock in the Province of Limburg were the reason for collecting data and examining the possibilities of prevention more closely. The first batches of broiler breeders submitted to the Animal Health Service in Heythuysen were examined for the presence of coccidiosis throughout the year 1982. Of 363 groups submitted, 1,484 birds about which there were complaints, were examined. Of these, 153 flocks were found to be positive for coccidiosis, that is 42 per cent. The proportion of birds found to be positive was highest during the third quarter of 1982, being 50.52 per cent; two-thirds of these were birds under 3 months. Eimeria necatrix was the most common, being mainly present in the younger birds during the third quarter of the year, and the highest score was also recorded in this group. Coccidiosis may be associated with necrotic enteritis due to Clostridium perfringens. When these two are combined, this may cause very severe inflammatory lesions which may complicate treatment. Cl. perfringens was also found to be present in 11.6 per cent of the birds submitted, being particularly associated with E. necatrix and E. maxima. Amprol plus was found to be the anti-coccidial agent giving rise to the majority of problems, particularly in chickens under three months. Pancoxin plus and the shuttle monensin- Pancoxin plus were found to prevent more cases of coccidiosis, though they did so to a lesser degree in the older birds. Attention is drawn to the possible effect of feed-restriction on the prevention of coccidiosis in broiler breeding stock.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)