Browsing by Author "Komba, E. V. G."

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Husbandry practices, disease management and production profiles among smallholder layer chicken farms in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania
(Tanzanina Veterinary Association, 2017) Komba, E. V. G.
Husbandry practices, disease management and production profiles were examined among 46 smallholder layer chicken farms in Morogoro, Tanzania; using a structured questionnaire and direct observations. Farmers kept their chickens in deep litter system or in cages. The average flock size was 350 birds (97-8000). Chickens were stocked at day old or at 12 to 14 weeks of age. For day old chickens farmers used antimicrobials in the first seven days, combined with multivitamins. Farmers vaccinated chickens against Newcastle disease, gumboro and fowlpox. Beak trimming was performed at 12 to 16 weeks. Most farms had a foot bath at the entrance to poultry houses. Chicken house cleaning was regular for cage system. Some farmers sent dead birds to veterinary centres for necropsy and others disposed or fed them to dogs. Some farmers used commercial feeds for their chickens whereas others made their own. The average age at point-of-lay was 20 weeks (16-22) and peak lay was attained two to three months later. Laying percentage varied greatly between flocks (55-90; mean 76); and fluctuated within flocks. Farmers attributed drop in egg production to diseases, feed quality, stresses and use of sulphur drugs. Viral, bacterial, parasitic and nutritional diseases were reported to be common in the flocks. The culling age was 18 to 24 months. The study revealed inadequacies in layer chicken husbandry and flock health management. Eventually the production was poor with irregularities. Improvements in husbandry and disease management would increase and sustain production.
Occurrence of helminths and coccidia in apparently healthy free range local chickens slaughtered at Morogoro live bird market
(Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 2013) Komba, E. V. G.; Mkupasi, E. M.; Mwesiga, G. K.; Mbyuzi, A. O.; Busagwe, Z.; Mzula, A.; Lupindu, A. M.; Nzalawahe, J.
Endoparasites are among important causes of mortality and reduced productivity in village chickens. This study was carried out to determine the presence of intestinal helminths and coccidia in apparently healthy free range local chickens slaughtered at Morogoro live bird market so as to establish the magnitude of the problem. A total of 252 intestines of slaughtered chickens were examined during the survey. Helminths were recovered and identified using standard methods. Smears of intestinal scrapings were examined under light microscope to detect coccidia oocysts. Two hundred and twenty chickens (87.3%) were infested with helminth species, whereas 28 birds (11.1%) were infected with coccidia. Twenty five birds (9.9%) had conjoint infestations with helminth and coccidia. In the present survey nine, different helminth species were recovered, namely; Ascaridia galli (10.5%); Heterakis gallinarum (5.3%); H. isolonche (3.9%); Capillaria spp. (2.6%); Raillietina echinobothrida (38.2%); R. tetragona (34.2%); R. cesticillus (2.6%); Choanotaenia infundibulum (1.3%) and Hymenolepsis cantaniana (1.3%). The predilection site for the cestodes was the small intestines except for H. cantaniana which was also recovered from the large intestines. With the nematodes, Capillaria spp. and H. isolonche were recovered from the caeca, H. gallinarum from small and large intestines and A. galli from all intestinal parts. Our findings indicate that helminth and coccidia are common and pose health problems in free range local chickens. Integrated sustainable control strategies need to be put in place to improve chicken productivity and enhance smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in the rural areas where most of the village chickens are produced.
Studies on seroprevalence and risk factors for occurrence of Bovine brucellosis in cattle in Lindi district, Tanzania
(Tanzania Veterinary Association, 2017-12-07) Sijapenda, E. J.; Komba, E. V. G.; Nonga, H. E.
Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial zoonotic disease of public health importance worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2017 in Lindi District to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle, assess farmers‘ knowledge and to identify risk factors for Brucella infection in animals. Questionnaires were administered to 60 livestock keepers and blood samples collected from 300 cattle for brucellosis analysis using Rose Bengal Plate Test and competitive-enzyme linked immune-sorbent (cELISA) assay tests. Results indicated that almost half (48.3%) of the households owned small herds which were mostly (58.7%) indigenous cattle. Proportions of positive reactors to brucellosis were 6.0% and 5.2% based on RBPT and c-ELISA respectively. Adult cattle were found to be frequently affected by brucellosis than young ones, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Comparable frequencies of infection were found in different sex groups and among cattle from different wards and different herd sizes. Most of the farmers lacked knowledge of brucellosis. History of abortion (p=0.00) and improper disposal of aborted materials (p=0.04) were found to be significantly associated with occurrence of bovine brucellosis in cattle. This study reports for the first time on occurrence of brucellosis in Lindi District and highlights on the possible risk factors for its transmission in cattle. Control efforts need to be put in place for this and other diseases with serious public and economic impacts the public.