The Effect of Selected Dietary Supplements on the Occurrence of Coccidia in the Alimentary Tract of Chicken

Poultry farming represents 30 % of meat production worldwide. The occurrence of animal parasites is an enormous problem of poultry farming. This problem is recorded from factory farming as well as from small farming and causes financial losses. The aim of this study was to gain basic data about the occurrence of coccidia in the intestines and about the occurrence of coccidia oocysts in the excrements of indoor broilers and carrier hens. Broilers and carrier hens were fed by dietary supplements which were supposed to have influence on native gut microflora composition and on weight gain. The experiment was conducted on 250 individuals of broilers. Broilers were divided into 5 groups according to dietary supplement (one group consisted of 50 individuals). Experimental groups were as follows: prebiotics, probiotics, homeopathic, coccidiostatics. One control group was also made. In the experimental groups dietary supplements were served every day from the 8th to 22nd day after the birth. The samples of excrements were tested in a laboratory twice a week. During 42nd and 57th day after the birth the samples of intestines of death chicken were tested three times (five individuals was chosen from every experimental group). Every individual was weighted before the slaughter, the samples of intestines were screened for occurrence, amount and type of coccidia right after the slaughter. The decrease of frequency of coccidia oocysts occurrence in the excrements in the experimental group prebiotics, homeopathics and control group in comparison with experimental group probiotics and coccidiostats was proved. The frequency of coccidia oocysts occurrence was the lowest by the experimental group prebiotics and by control group. The frequency of coccidia oocysts occurrence was the highest by the experimental group probiotics and coccidiostats. The highest weight gains were recorded by the control group (ø2.55) in comparison with the group with coccidiostats (ø 1.99).