Interaction between live vaccines for coccidiosis and phytogenic compounds in the diet of broilers

This study aimed to determine whether live vaccines alone or associated with phytogenic compounds supplied via feed could improve performance, intestinal health, serum biochemistry, and coccidiostatic action in broilers up to 42 days of age, challenged with Eimeria spp., compared with a traditional anticoccidial program. We used 800 birds divided into five treatments of eight repetitions each (n = 20): NC - Negative control (absence of additives in the feed and without coccidian challenge); PC - Positive control (absence of additives and with coccidian challenge at 21 days); AAP - Anticoccidial additives program, including salinomycin and nicarbazine, with coccidian challenge at 21 days of life; VAC - Vaccination on day 1 of life (Hipracox HIPRA®) against coccidiosis and subsequent coccidian challenge at 21 days; VAC + BPC - Vaccination (day 1 of life), the addition of 200 ppm of blend phytogenic compound (BPC) based on carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde to the diet, with coccidian challenge at 21 days of life. The birds in the AAP group more significant weight gain and greater body weight at 21 days than the NC and 42 days of age than the NC and VAC + BPC groups. The excretion of Eimeria oocysts in the excreta of birds was higher in PC than in NC, and in the litter, PC had higher counts than NC, AAP, and VAC + BPC. A higher mean score of intestinal lesions for Eimeria acervulina was observed in VAC and VAC + BPC birds, while for Eimeria maxima, the highest score was found in PC. Higher serum levels of total protein due to the increase in globulins were observed in birds of AAP and VAC than NC. Our findings suggest that vaccination for coccidiosis shortly after the birth of chicks allows performance similar to the conventional coccidiosis control program via diet.