The role of feeds in the transmission of chicken pathogens in Dodoma Urban District, Tanzania

Chicken production is an important economic activity in Tanzania. Indigenous chickens are kept in rural areas, while exotic breeds are kept in urban areas. Due to their high productivity, exotic breeds are becoming important sources of protein in fast-growing cities. Dodoma is one of the cities growing very fast in Tanzania. As a result, production of layers and broilers has increased dramatically. However, diseases remain the major challenge to chicken production despite the efforts of livestock officers to educate people on good management practices. This has made farmers think that feeds may be the source of pathogens. The study's objectives were thus to identify the major diseases affecting broiler and layer chickens in the Dodoma urban district, as well as the potential role of feeds in pathogen transmission to chickens. A household survey was conducted to identify common diseases affecting chickens in the study area. Thereafter, locally prepared feed samples were collected from twenty shops available in the district to determine the presence of Salmonella and Eimeria parasites. The presence of Eimeria parasites in the feeds was determined by raising day-old chicks in a sterile environment for 3 wk while feeding them the feed samples collected. Fecal samples from the chicks were analyzed for the presence of Eimeria parasites. Salmonella contamination of the feed samples was determined in the laboratory through the culture method. The study found that coccidiosis, Newcastle disease, fowl typhoid, infectious bursal disease, and colibacillosis are the main diseases affecting chickens in the district. After 3 wk of rearing, 3 out of 15 chicks developed coccidiosis. In addition, about 31.1% of the feed samples showed the presence of Salmonella spp. The prevalence of Salmonella was highest in limestone (53.3%), followed by fishmeal (26.7%), and maize bran (13.3%). It has been concluded that feeds are potential carriers of pathogens. To reduce economic losses and the continuous use of drugs in chicken production, health authorities should assess the microbial quality of poultry feeds.