Evaluation of a novel plant-based technology aiding the control of coccidiosis in modern poultry production

Coccidiosis in modern production has been linked with compromised intestinal health, chronic inflammation, reduction in antibiotic usage and economic losses. Even subclinical disease can lead to significant production losses. The use of anticoccidials; for example, ionophores and synthetics, has been associated with resistance, whereas vaccines have had various degrees of efficacy. Here we evaluated a novel phytogenic technology (Aflocox, Innovad) with or without an intestinal health enhancer technology (Lumance) (1) under a severe mixed coccidiosis infection in a battery cage setup, and (2) in a dietary-induced mild coccidiosis within a real production system. In experiment 1, a mixed Eimeria infection (E. acervulina ~130,000, E. maxima ~39,000, E. tenella~32,000 and E. mitis ~11,000 oocysts/mL) at d 13 resulted in 25% mortality between d 19 and 21, which was reduced to 0% by Aflocox (200g/ton from d 13 onward) in combination with Lumance (d 1-d 12: 250 g/T; d 13 onwards: 1 kg/ton) (P < 0.05, n = 4 cages/treatment, n = 5 birds/treatment). In experiment 2, under farming conditions, a high non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) diet (60% wheat + 5% rye without NSPases) increased total Eimeria lesion scores at d 21 (P = 0.09) and significantly worsened macroscopic dysbacteriosis both at d 21 and d 28 over a standard diet (50% corn + 30% soy) (P < 0.005; 1 bird per pen scored, n = 8 pens/group; n = 30 birds/pen), evaluated according to Teirlynck et al. (2011). Both Aflocox and Aflocox in combination with Lumance (a) ameliorated dysbacteriosis over the NSP-challenged group and showed no difference over the standard diet at d 21 and d 28 (P < 0.005), and (b) reduced numerically total Eimeria lesion scores (1 bird per pen scored, n = 8 pens/group; n = 30 birds/pen) and OPGs, to the same level as the standard diet at d 21 and d 28. Importantly, Aflocox (200 g/ton) with or without Lumance (1 kg/ton) at the end of the life cycle (d 35) significantly increased the BW over the high-NSP and reduced the FCR (P < 0.05; n = 8 pens/group; n = 30 birds/pen). Thus, we have evaluated a novel phytogenic technology (Aflocox) against 2 setups of coccidiosis with great promise.

Key Words: coccidiosis, gut health, phytogenic, real farming conditions.

Presented at the 9th Symposium on Gut Health in Production of Food Animals, St. Louis, USA, 2021. For information on the next edition, click here.