Comparative efficacy of some herbal and homeopathic preparations against coccidiosis in broilers

The study was designed to compare the efficacy of some herbal and homeopathic preparations against coccidiosis on the basis of weight gain, feed conversion ratio, oocyst count and mortality rate. A total of 240, day-old broiler chicks were reared under standard management practices. The chicks were randomly divided into six groups (A to F) on 22^nd day of age. The chicks of all the groups except group F were inoculated orally with sporulated oocysts (30,000 chick^-1) and treated with Polygonum bistorta Linn. (Anjbar), Agele martnelos (Bael), Merc sol. (Mercurius solubilis) and Darvisul liquid. A. marmelos (Bael fruit) and Darvisul liquid showed better results in terms of weight gain, feed consumption, oocyst count as compared with P. bistorta Linn. (Anjbar) and Merc sol. Anticoccidial effect of used herbs and homeopathic preparations suggests that further studies should be carried out to determine the possible maximum safe levels with least toxic effects to be used as coccidiostat.