Anticoccidial efficacy of Azadirachta indica leaf powder against Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens

Abstract

Abstract Research was conducted to evaluate the in-vivo anticoccidial activity of crude leaf powder of Azadirachta indica against Eimeria tenella, the cause of caecal coccidiosis that inflicts heavy economic loss to poultry industry all over the world. A total of 120 broiler chicks were infected via the oropharyngeal route with viable sporulated oocysts of the parasite and allotted to four groups designated 1 to 4 and each group replicated 3 times with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Groups 1 and 2 were fed diet containing 100g and 50g leaf powder of the evaluated material per Kg of feed respectively. Group 3 was treated with 0.3g (preventive dose) of AmproliumR per liter of drinking water while group 4 was left without treatment. The test substance given especially at the rate of 100g demonstrated efficacy in decreasing oocysts shedding, minimizing diarrhea, alleviating caecal damage and lowering morbidity caused the parasite but less than the conventional drug. However, its effect in reducing blood loss and mortality was almost similar that of the standard drug (P≤0.05). Although the test material had slight negative effect on feed consumption and weight gain but it can still be used for prophylactic control of coccidioisis especially when there is resistance to conventional anticoccidial drugs or where they are not available or affordable.