Effect of dietary raw soybeans on coccidiosis in chickens

Six battery experiments determined the effect of feeding raw soybeans (RSB) in corn-soybean diets on coccidiosis in broiler chickens. The experimental design represents a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with three dietary levels of incorporation of RSB (0, 50, and 100%), and chickens either infected or uninfected. The coccidial species tested singularly were Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria maxima, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria brunetti, and Eimeria tenella. With all species of Eimeria a significant diet by infection interaction was demonstrated with a stepwise increase in weight gain and reduction in lesion scores with increasing levels of raw soybeans. To cause the pancreas to become hypertrophied and hyperfunctional, the 100% RSB diet was fed for an extended period. The experimental design represents a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with three feeding regimens [Treatment A: 0% RSB (0 d to termination), Treatment B: (0% RSB: 0 to 12 d then 100% RSB 12 d to termination), and Treatment C: (100% 0 d to termination)] and chickens either infected (E. tenella) or uninfected. There was a significant difference for weight gain between uninfected and infected chicks of Treatments A and C but this difference was absent for Treatment B. Coccidiosis was not reduced by continuously feeding 100% RSB (Treatment C).