Diseases of indigenous chickens in Bokaa village, Kgatleng district, Botswana

Abstract

This study examined flock size and management, level of internal and external parasite burden and seroprevalence of antibodies to poultry pathogens in indigenous chickens in Bokaa village, Kgatleng district, Botswana. The mean flock size was 22.6 ± 6.85 with a range of 11-34. The mean body weights of cocks and hens were 2.28 ± 0.56 kg and 1.70 ± 0.38 kg, respectively. Housing and commercial poultry feed were not provided. Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum and Syngamus trachea were found in some birds. Although the chickens were not vaccinated against any poultry diseases, serum antibodies to Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis were detected.