Comparative efficacy of ionophores and ZeeCox®, a phytogenic multistage anticoccidial against Chicken Coccidiosis

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the comparative anti-coccidial efficacy of ZeeCox® (Phytogenic anti-coccidial formulation developed by Indian Herbs Specialities Ltd) at recommended dose levels, with commonly used ionophore anti-coccidial drugs such as salinomycin, lasolacid and anti-coccidial vaccine. A total of 324, day-old broiler chicks were reared under standard management practices. The chicks were randomly divided into nine groups with each group consisting of 36 birds. Body weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio, intestine lesion score, oocyst per gram feces and European Performance Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of all experimental group birds were measured. All the chicks except Group 1 were inoculated orally with the total of 20,000 live sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species on 18th day of age. The overall performance such as Body weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio and European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of Group 5 (ZeeCox® 0.5g/kg treatment and Challenged) was better and comparable with Group 3 (Salinomycin treatment and Challenged) and Group 4 (Salinomycin & Lasalocid treatment and Challenged). It was concluded from the present study that ZeeCox® at 0.5g/kg of feed could be a potential alternative to the ionophore anticoccidial drugs used in the control of coccidiosis in broiler chicken.