Efficacy and Optimal Feeding Level of Rumex Nervosus Leaves on Blood Biochemistry, Carcass Characteristics, Productivity Indices, and Anticoccidial Indicators of Broiler Chickens Infected or Not Infected with Eimeria Tenella

Abstract

The current study investigated the efficacy and optimal feeding level of Rumex nervosus leaves (RNL) in broilers infected and uninfected with Eimeria tenella. In a factorial design of 2 (coccidial challenge or not) 5 (feed treatments), 250-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of ten groups and reared for 28 days. Intestinal measurements, carcass traits, serum biochemical indices, leukograms, performance and anticoccidial indicators were investigated. All selected parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) altered by the interactions between the experimental diet and challenge at 7 days post-infection, with the exception of serum levels of albumin and globulin, as well as the anticoccidial index. Infected broilers had a lower performance indicator, poorer production efficiency, poor anticoccidial indices, heavier gizzard, longer and heavier small intestine, shorter cecum, and higher proportion of eosinophils compared with uninfected broilers. The RNL had marked anticoccidial efficacy at a dose of 5 g. The current study found that Rumex nervosus leaf powder had mild to marked, dose-dependent anticoccidial preventive efficacy in broilers. However, further studies are needed to fully understand the anticoccidial mechanisms.