The effects of the different levels of Aloe vera gel on oocysts shedding in broilers with coccidiosis

Coccdiosis is the most important parasitic disease in poultry. The disease may result in losses, indigestion, and increased feed conversion ratio in chickens. Resistance against anti-coccidiosis drugs is among the major problems resulting from chemical therapy. Therefore, it seems necessary to replace chemical substances with herbs. Thus, the present study aims to identify the effects of different levels of Aloe vera L. gel on performance and oocysts shedding in broilers with coccidiosis. The study was carried out on 200 one-day-old male broilers from Ross 308 strain on a completely randomize design with four treatments each with five replicates each composing of ten chickens. The groups included control group (basal diet), three group with basal diet mixed different level of Aloe vera gel (1.5, 2, and 2.5%). On the day 28, all chickens with oocysts were challenged by Eimeria maxima. Feed conversion ratio was calculated for the whole farming period (42 days). The findings suggested that groups treated by Aloe vera gel had improved feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The group treated by 2.5% Aloe vera gel showed significant difference from the control group. In addition, significant reduction was observed in oocysts per gram of feces in the Aloe vera gel groups in comparison with the control group. 2.5% Aloe vera gel group showed the lowest level of oocysts per gram of feces. The results of this study indicate that Aloe vera gel can improve feed conversion ratio in broilers with coccidiosis and reduces oocysts shedding.

Keywords: Aloe vera, coccidiosis, broiler