IN VIVO TREATMENT OF COCCIDIAL ORGANISMS USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF RIPE PAWPAW (Carica papaya) SEEDS AND ITS EFFECT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGY OF BROILER CHICKENS.

The study was carried out to assess the anticoccidial effect of ethanolic extract of ripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds in the treatment of coccidial organisms in broiler chickens under natural infection. A total of 150 (day-old chicks) were randomly divided in 5 treatments (containing 3 replicates with 10 birds per replicate). The infected birds were administered dosage levels of ethanolic extract concentrations of 0g (amprolium), 2g, 3g, 4g, and 5g/ litres of drinking water for a period of eight (8) weeks, respectively. Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The phytochemical constituents of the extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, oil, protein, reducing sugar, saponins, tanins and terpenoids, The results of this experiment showed significant difference (P < 0.05) in the final body weight, survivability of the birds and significant reduction of the oocysts in the faecal samples of the birds across the treatments. Birds with highest levels of EERPS showed best result in the final Body weight and had low mortality and oocyst count which is close to those obtained in those treated with amprolium (T1). There was no significant difference (P >0.05) in the haematological parameters except the red blood cells (RBC). Thus, ethanolic extract of ripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) seeds can serve as an alternative to synthetic anticoccidial drugs in the prevention and control of coccidiosis in chickens.