Nature’s support to control coccidiosis in poultry

 

Coccidiosis is one of the major concerns for poultry worldwide due to its effects on enteric health and overall flock performance. It is mainly caused by a protozoan parasite Eimeria. Major species of Eimeria that are found to be infectious in poultry are E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. mitis, E. necatrix, E. praecox, and E. tenella. It causes an increased rate of morbidity and mortality in poultry, which results in major economic losses.

 

Common signs and symptoms of infection include:

 

Modes of Transmission of Eimeria 

 

Eimeria is a host-specific infection, where different species of Eimeria infect different portions of the intestine in poultry.

1. Infected birds shed the infective oocysts (small egg-like bodies) in their feces.

2. These oocysts quickly multiply and flourish in favorable conditions.

3. Birds ingest these oocysts from contaminated food, water, litter, and become infected.

4. After being swallowed, the parasites establish themselves on the mucosa, developing and reproducing in large numbers, causing severe damage. Coccidia can complete their life cycle in approximately 4–7 days and multiply rapidly.

5. It damages the intestinal epithelial lining and reduces its ability to absorb nutrients essential for the growth of poultry.

 

 

Programs to Control Coccidiosis in Poultry 

 

Key challenges of using anti-coccidial drugs in poultry

• Using drugs from the same class and the same mode of action one after another for a long period increases the risk of resistance being developed toward the class.
• It leads to the accumulation of chemical residues in poultry.
• It not only reduces the rate of poultry production but also causes major economic losses in poultry farming.

Therefore, anticoccidials are banned as feed additives due to consumers’ concerns about residues in poultry products. The natural plant-based solution is an effective alternative to mitigate the side effects of chemical-based products.

 

How can the natural solution be an effective alternative for coccidiosis control in poultry?

• Phytochemicals present in plants reduce mucosal inflammation and lesions and effectively reduce the spread of disease by decreasing oocyst excretion.
• Naturally improves the beneficial microbial population.
• It can be used in combination with vaccines, ionophores, and chemicals as part of the shuttle or rotation program.
• Fulfils public demand for residue-free poultry but also provides sustainable and effective poultry production.

 

 

Biococcin: Natural Alternative to Coccidiosis in Poultry

BIOCOCCIN is a phytochemical mixture derived from various ethnoveterinary herbs, which has diverse mechanisms of action against multiple species of Eimeria. It provides a long-term benefit. The active constituents in BIOCOCCIN suppress the developmental stages in the lifecycle of Eimeria and help control coccidiosis. It is a sustainable solution, providing poultry farmers with a safe, efficient, and environmentally conscious alternative.

 

 Benefits of Biococcin 

 

*References on request