What are the treatment options for coccidiosis in poultry?
Coccidiosis in poultry is a prevalent parasitic disease that can significantly impact broiler production.
Estimated to cost the global broiler industry £8.3 billion annually1, coccidiosis affects intestinal health, leading to poor gut health and issues like necrotic enteritis, hock burn, and footpad dermatitis.
This article will explore effective prevention and treatment strategies for poultry coccidiosis, focusing on practices and products to enhance broiler health and performance.
A preventative approach to tackling coccidiosis in poultry
Taking a preventative approach to tackling coccidiosis in poultry, is the most effective way to manage the disease and here’s why:
- Cost-effective – Preventing a problem, rather than treating it, is significantly more cost-effective. Once an outbreak occurs, the expenses associated with treatment, increased mortality and reduced productivity can be substantial. Implementing preventative measures can also help maintain consistent production levels and reduce economic losses.
- Improved bird health – The use of preventative treatments such as ionophores ensures birds maintain better overall health. Healthy birds are less susceptible to secondary infections like necrotic enteritis, which often follow coccidiosis outbreaks. These Intestinal Integrity improvements translate to better growth rates and higher quality meat outputs.
- Enhanced productivity – Preventative treatments, such as ionophores, can achieve more consistent and predictable production outcomes. Birds can convert feed more efficiently, leading to an improved broiler feed conversion ratio. This efficiency not only boosts productivity, but also enhances profitability.
- Sustainability – A preventative method supports sustainable poultry farming practices. It minimises the need for reactive treatments, which can contribute to antibiotic resistance. By reducing the reliance on antibiotics, producers can promote more sustainable and responsible practices that are better for animal welfare and the environment.
How to prevent coccidiosis in poultry
There are several different management techniques, that when used in combination, can help to prevent coccidiosis in poultry.
Biosecurity and farm management
Effective biosecurity measures are the first line of defence against coccidiosis. A biosecurity plan should include:
- Clean and disinfect poultry houses regularly with effective use of turnaround times to ensure floors are dry before adding litter for the next flock
- Control the movement of personnel and equipment
- Maintain dry litter conditions to reduce the risk of infection
Environmental control
Maintaining good litter quality is crucial for preventing coccidiosis. Wet or soiled litter can harbour high concentrations of coccidial oocysts.
Implementing proper ventilation and regularly reviewing litter can help maintain dry and clean conditions, reducing the prevalence of footpad dermatitis and hock burn associated with poor litter quality.
Monitoring and measurement
Regular monitoring of flock health and Intestinal Integrity scores (I2) is essential for effective coccidiosis management.
Adjusting the disease control programme based on flock health data helps minimise coccidiosis prevalence and ensures interventions are timely and effective. The Health Tracking System (HTSi) report also provides valuable insights into the current status of coccidiosis prevalence, and helps inform decision making.
Using ionophores to manage coccidiosis in poultry
Ionophores are widely recognised as the primary control method for coccidiosis in poultry. This is due to their effectiveness, minimal resistance issues, and their role in supporting birds' natural immunity development against Eimeria.
Ionophores function alongside the immune system to mitigate the coccidiosis challenge effectively.
Using Maxiban™ in combination with Monteban™ to control coccidiosis delivers stable coccidial population control. It is advisable to use Maxiban into and beyond the peak of the coccidiosis challenge and move to Monteban to finish the birds. This strategic use of both products ensures sustained control throughout the production cycle.
Maxiban and Monteban both contain Narasin, enhancing their compatibility and effectiveness. Maxiban also includes Nicarbazin to create a potentiated ionophore that tackles two specific parts, vital for the parasites to function. In combination, these active ingredients help manage poultry coccidiosis more efficiently during peak periods of increased disease pressure.
Benefits of using ionophores to manage coccidiosis in
Here is why ionophores, particularly Narasin, are essential in managing coccidiosis in poultry:
Efficacy and stability
Data from the HTSi reports shows that Narasin provides stable and continuous coccidiosis control. This improves Intestinal Integrity and reduces the negative impacts of the disease on bird health and productivity.
Minimal negative impact
Unlike some other ionophores, which can cause reduced feed intakes and anorexia in birds, Narasin does not have these adverse effects. It ensures birds maintain good feed consumption and growth rates, which are critical for optimal production performance.
Improved broiler feed conversion ratio (FCR)
The use of Narasin has been associated with better broiler feed conversion ratio, an essential measure of efficiency in broiler production. Improved FCR means birds are converting feed into body mass more effectively, leading to lower feed costs and higher profitability.
Proven results
Long-term field data and controlled studies have consistently demonstrated the benefits of Narasin. For example, a European study comparing Narasin and Salinomycin found that birds treated with Narasin had a 3.3% higher average daily feed intake and a 150g higher final body weight2. Additionally, Narasin-treated birds showed a significant improvement in feed efficiency.
- Blake et al., 2021 – white paper
- Elanco Study ELA220798 2022 (v1.0)
