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Published on: February 20, 2015
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Nutritional interventions to support broiler chickens during Eimeria infection
R R Santos1, F C Velkers2, J C M Vernooij2
1Schothorst Feed Research, 8200 AM, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
Poultry Science
|April 12, 2022
Summary
Dietary interventions using probiotics, prebiotics, and phytochemicals show potential in supporting broiler health during coccidiosis. While not as effective as anticoccidials, specific combinations improved feed conversion and reduced parasite load.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Animal Nutrition
- Veterinary Parasitology
Background:
- Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria parasites, is a significant concern in broiler production, impacting bird health and economic outcomes.
- Gut health-promoting dietary strategies are explored as alternatives or adjuncts to conventional anticoccidial drugs.
- Optimizing the timing and combination of interventions is crucial for efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of different combinations of gut health-promoting dietary interventions against Eimeria infection in broilers.
- To compare the performance and health parameters of broilers under various dietary treatments with a positive (anticoccidial) and negative control.
- To determine the optimal feeding periods for prebiotics, phytochemicals, probiotics, and other supplements during coccidiosis.
Main Methods:
- Seven hundred twenty Ross 308 broilers were divided into six dietary treatment groups for 35 days.
- Birds were inoculated with Eimeria species at 7 days of age.
- Treatments included a basal diet with specific combinations of multispecies probiotics, prebiotics, phytochemicals (saponins, artemisin, curcumin), coated butyrate, and threonine, alongside positive and negative controls.
Main Results:
- The positive control (diclazuril) demonstrated the best overall feed conversion ratio (FCR) and was most effective in reducing oocyst output and lesion scores.
- Broilers receiving a specific combination of probiotics, saponins, artemisin, curcumin, coated butyrate, and threonine at defined feeding periods showed improved FCR and reduced oocyst shedding and lesion scores compared to other non-anticoccidial treatments.
- No dietary treatments improved litter quality or reduced footpad lesions compared to the positive control.
Conclusions:
- While tested dietary interventions did not match the efficacy of anticoccidials, strategic application of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytochemicals can support broiler resilience during coccidiosis.
- Specific combinations and precise timing of these supplements may offer a viable approach to mitigate Eimeria infection impacts.
- Further research into synergistic effects and optimal delivery strategies for these compounds is warranted.
