Studies on Economic Losses of Coccidial Infection

Abstract

The aim of present study was to see the effect of infection and its medication on weight gain of calves under indigenous environment. Twelve cattle calves under 3 months of age were procured and reared under standard manage mental conditions. After one week of deworming and acclimatization, calves were randomly divided into two groups and were infected with 20000 oocysts of E. bovis. Group A: Animals of this group were infected but medicated and their feed conversion ratio and body weight were recorded weekly for a period of two months. Group B: Animals of this group were kept as infected and non-medicated and their feed conversion ratio and body weight were recorded weekly for a period of two months. The economical losses due to coccidiosis in experimental calves was calculated on the basis of loss in weight gain and feed conversion ratio as compared with the control groups. It was concluded that there was significant difference (p<0.05) between weight gain and feed conversion ratio of treated animals and infected non-treated group. Weight gain and FCR of treated group A was high as compared to non-treated group B.