Synergistic effects of phytochemicals and disinfectants in mitigating experimental coccidiosis in broiler chickens and its impact on growth performance and gut health

This study assessed the impact of various feed additives on Eimeria spp. colonization, intestinal health, and production performance in broiler chickens. A total of 270 chicks were divided into nine treatment groups, and key parameters such as lesion scoring, oocyst shedding, production performance, and microbiological counts were analyzed. The results demonstrated that certain feed additives significantly reduced Eimeria colonization, improved feed conversion ratios (FCR), and lowered bacterial loads. Notably, Group D (Respolite + Vet COC) exhibited the highest body weight (2.85 kg at day 42) and a significantly lower FCR (1.45) compared to Control A (1.72). Oocyst shedding was reduced by 78% in Group F (Respolite Plus + Vet COC) and by 72% in Group D, confirming their strong anticoccidial effects. Microbiological analysis revealed that E. coli counts were significantly lower in treated groups, with Group H (Coccihygeen Plus + Vet COC) showing the lowest bacterial load (3.1 log CFU/g vs. 6.4 log CFU/g in Control A). Pathological findings supported these results, as treatment groups exhibited milder intestinal lesions and reduced villous atrophy compared to control birds. The study concludes that phytochemical-based feed additives, particularly Respolite and Coccihygeen formulations, show strong potential as natural alternatives to conventional coccidiostats, enhancing both gut health and overall production performance in broiler chickens. These natural additives represent an intriguing option in view of growing concerns about antimicrobial resistance, the need to minimise or eradicate the use of antibiotic growth promoters, and the growing consumer demand for products free of chemicals and antibiotics.