Nature's Coccidiostats: A Novel Approach to Coccidiosis Prevention in Poultry

Coccidiosis represents a serious threat to the poultry industry, affecting production and causing high morbidity, mortality and significant costs resulting from treatment and prophylaxis. This disease is highly prevalent in poultry farms and can cause significant economic losses to poultry farmers. The use of natural remedies has become a promising alternative in combating coccidiosis in chickens.

In this article, we will discuss coccidiosis in poultry and how natural coccidiostat can help prevent this disease.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite Eimeria. This parasite infects the intestinal tract of poultry birds and can cause severe damage to the intestinal lining, resulting in reduced nutrient absorption and growth rate. Coccidiosis is highly contagious and spreads rapidly within a flock of birds.

The symptoms of coccidiosis in poultry birds include:

• Bloody or watery diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness and lethargy
• Reduced growth rate
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• High mortality rate

Coccidiosis is caused by the ingestion of oocysts (the spore-like form of the coccidia parasite) present in contaminated feed, water, and litter. The oocysts can survive in the environment for months and are resistant to most disinfectants, making it challenging to eradicate from the farm.

It can be grouped into two major classes: the polyether ionophore antibiotics (monensin, lasalocid, maduramycin, narasin, salinomycin, and semduramycin) and the nonpolyether ionophores (often referred to as synthetic compounds or chemicals).

Chemical anticoccidials have varying degrees of efficacy ranging from good to partial resistance, indicating its use should either be restricted or if possible be discontinued because soon the development of resistance against these anticoccidials will be seen.

The use of natural products as an alternative to anticoccidial drugs may overcome the hazards caused by chemical drugs. Generally, plant extracts do not have the problem of resistance and broilers fed on herbal feed additives were accepted well by the consumer.

To date, Eimeria strains have gained resistance to all known coccidiostats, and new anticoccidials are unlikely to be developed, mainly because of strict legislative regulations on the use of in-feed drugs and growing concerns in the general population about the chemical residues in poultry products.

Natural coccidiostats are compounds that can prevent the growth and multiplication of coccidia parasites in the intestinal tract of poultry birds. These compounds are derived from plants and have been found to be highly effective in preventing coccidiosis in poultry.

The use of herbal coccidiostat has several advantages over chemical coccidiostats, including:
1. Natural coccidiostats are compounds that do not have any adverse effects on the environment.
2. Are safe for consumption and do not leave any residues in the poultry products.
3. Are cost-effective

Biococcin is a holistic combination of phytochemicals with diverse mechanisms of action on multiple species of Eimeria. This active constituent suppresses the developmental stages in the lifecycle of Eimeria by several mechanisms, restricting the damage to intestinal cells and spread of the infection by several mechanisms mentioned below:

– Prevention of oocyst development
– Inhibition of sporulation
– Inhibition of oocyst wall
– Destruction of sporozoites in caeca
– Stabilizing intestinal structure and decreasing inflammation
– Stimulation of immune response and modulation

– Supports recovery and minimizes losses caused by affected growth and FCR.
– Reduces mortality
– Reduces oocyst shedding
– Decreases intestinal inflammation and prompts healing
– Promotes immune response against multiple Eimeria sp.
– Prevents secondary bacterial attacks like Clostridium sp.

Coccidiosis is a prevalent disease in poultry farms that can cause significant economic losses to poultry farmers. There is also a higher interest from the consumer in organic poultry production and a great demand for natural and healthier products. In this context, the use of natural coccidiostats has become a promising alternative to anticoccidial drugs