Recuento de ooquistes de Ermeria sp. en cama nueva y su relación con la pigmentación en pollos de carne

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between avian coccidiosis and pigmentation intensity in broiler chickens kept under intensive husbandry conditions. Litter samples were taken on days O, 7, 14, 21, 42 and 49 at 5 farms Iocated in Ruara!, Huacho and Ventanilla, Department ofLima. On day 35, skin pigmentation was determined using a Roche color fan, for 90 - 120 birds from each farm. A weak relationship between level ofoocyst contmination and broiler skin pigmentation intensity was found (Spearman correlation --0.098), although subclinical coccidiosis was detected in all the poultry houses studied. Clinical signs of the disease, which may adversely affect pigmentation and productive parameters, were not observed due to appropriate management and biosecurity practices, chicken health status and the anticoccidial program used.