THE EFFICACY OF A COMMERCIAL HERBAL FORMULATION IN THE PREVENTION OF COCCIDIOSIS UNDER NATURAL EXPOSURE TO Eimeria SPECIES

ABSTRACT

This study was under taken to determine the Efficacy of a Commercial Herbal Formulation in the Prevention of Coccidiosis under Natural Exposure to Eimeria Species in Animal Production Teaching and Research Farm during the period of March to May 2020. A total of 180 day old broiler chicks were randomly divided in to three treatments, in a completely randomized design with 3 replicates containing 20 birds each. The groups were designated T1, T2, and T3 respectively. Treatment one was administered Ruchamax at the rate of 15g in water, treatment two was given amprolium at 100g and treatment three was served as control. Data collected on weight gain, carcass characteristics, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, nutrient digestibility and hematological parameters were subjected to analysis of variance using SPSS statistical software. The results showed that the carcass characteristics, the nutrient retention and weight gain were not significantly (p>0.05) different. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in hematological indices between the treatment groups. The serum parameters between the treatments were not significantly different. The results of the feacal samples showed that Ruchamax was effective against coccidiosis due to the reduction in the level of infection along the weeks.  It was concluded that the weekly coccidiosis result shows the safety and efficacy of Ruchamax as an anticoccidial agent. The findings of the present study showed that 15g of Ruchamax produced comparable result to amprolium in control, treatment and prevention of coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

Poultry meat and eggs are essential foods for satisfying the nutritional requirements of the ever-growing human population. Poultry represent nearly 33% of global meat production and is a source of protein that plays an essential role in human nutrition (Abbas et al., 2010).

Chicken is the most common type of poultry in the world.  Chicken meat provides not only high quality protein, but also essential vitamins and minerals (Yousaf, 2018). Also, chicken meat has high level of vital polyunsaturated fatty acids, like omega (n)-3, which can be effortlessly digested and efficiently absorbed (Kharde and Soujanya, 2014).   Adding to dietary value, chicken is further common owing to the fact that it is quite easy to prepare and is cheaper than other types of meat. Chickens are extensively consumed as a source of meat either directly (as broiler chickens) or indirectly (as spent layers).  The term broiler refers to chickens that have specifically been bred for meat, they develop rapidly.  Broiler strains are created from hybrid crosses between Cornish White, New Hampshire and White Plymouth Rock (Lawal et al., 2016).

Coccidiosis is a major disease problem in the poultry business, it is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals caused by single-cell protozoa. Coccidian organisms can infect birds, livestock and humans as they are typically species-specific (Gharekhani et al., 2014). Coccidiosis is initiated by any of the species of the genus Eimeria, discretely or in combination. It leads to the extensive damage of the intestinal epithelium which results in reduced food efficiency and body weight gain (Ali et al., 2019). The most common and pathogenic species that affects the poultry industry worldwide is the E. tenella with 100% morbidity and  a high  mortality due to  extensive destruction  of the  digestive tracts  of chickens (Lawal et al., 2016).

Coccidiosis is largely controlled by the sanitary measures and the use of chemotherapeutic agents or chemical anticoccidial agents Nonetheless, the development of drug resistance to all the drugs introduced so far by the causative parasites and the intensifying cost of drug development have significantly reduced the commercial incentive to develop new chemical anticoccidial. Additionally, currently, buyers demand poultry products that are free from residual antiparasitic drugs. Therefore, the development of alternate, safer and ecologically friendly anticoccidial agents have become priority in most parts of the world  (Ali et al., 2019).

Ruchamax is a powerful herbal formulation, which contain 28 different herbs and some minerals. It is used as an appetizer, restorative, carminative, stomachic, and stimulant. It is also  aid  optimum  absorption  and  utilization  of  nutrients  and  hence  improves  feed conversion ratio, productivity and weight gain (Walia et al., 2011). Ruchamax® is mostly used in ruminant and pseudo ruminant to treat poor digestion, impaired ruminal function, debility, dyspepsia and convalescence but there is very scarce literature on its use on Poultry.

Each 15g of Ruchamax contains; Acorus calamus–0.20, Andrographis paniculata–0.80, Azadirachta indica -0.50, Balanites roxburghii –0.50, Calotropis procera – 0.08, Centratherum anthelmenticum –0.50, Commiphora mukul – 0.20, Curcuma longa – 0.20, Eclipta alba – 0.50, Embelia ribes -0.20, Gardenia gummifera -0.20, Phyllanthus emblica- 0.50, Piper longum -0.10, Piper nigrum -0.10, semecarpus anacardium -0.04, Solanum nigrum-0.40, Terminalia chebula -0.50, Tinospora cordifolia -0.10, Terminalia belerica, Allium sativum –0.50, Zinziber officinale -1.00, Trychyspermum ammi -0.50, Trigonella foenum-graecum-0.50, Woodfordia fruticose -0.40, Copper sulphate -0.05, Ferrous sulphate -0.20,  Sodium  chloride  -1.0,  Ammonium  chloride-0.20  (Walia  et  al.,  2011).  These individual constituent herbs are scientifically well known to possess appetizer, restorative, carminative, stomachic and herbs activity.

1.1 Statement of the Research Problem

Growing threats of coccidian specie resistance and antimicrobial drug residues has put a lot of pressure on human health and in general the food industry, intensified efforts in checkmating microbial resistance has led to condemnation of certain meat products especially those containing intolerable levels of antimicrobials thereby affecting the agricultural  value  chain.  Intensive  poultry  production  also  increase  the  spread  and prevalence of coccidiosis. Additionally, strong evidence of the presence of the residues of coccidiostats in the meat of treated birds has not been adequately addressed. Therefore, there is  a strong desire  to  use some  natural  alternative agents  to  replace the  existing coccidiostats.

1.2. Justification of the Study

The present study was carried out to enlighten the poultry farmers to attain the knowledge of coccidiostats of plant origin as alternative to those of chemical origin in order to prevent harmful drug residues in the meat of treated birds, reduce coccidia specie resistance and also to reduce farmers input cost. The need to try Ruchamax on poultry arise as a result of the  fact  that  it  contains  natural  herbal  ingredients  that  have  been  used  alone  or  in combination  on  poultry,  and  was  scientifically  proven  to  be  safe  and  effective  as  an anticoccidial agents.

1.3. Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study was to determine:

The effect of administering Ruchamax on coccidia organisms and performance of broiler chickens.

The objectives of the study were to;

i. Determine the effect of Ruchamax on performance of broiler chickens

ii.  Assess  the  effect  of  Ruchamax  on  heamatology and  immunoglobulin  profile  of broiler     chickens.

iii. Evaluate the effect of Ruchamax on nutrient retention of broiler chickens and iv. Identify the anticoccidial effect of Ruchamax formulation on coccidia organisms in broiler chickens.

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