This study examined the efficacy of natural ingredient formulated herbal medicine as feed additives against coccidiosis in broiler chicken. Medicinal herbs used in this study were Artemisia annua, Pulsatilla chinensis, Clematis chinensis and Scutellar...
This study examined the efficacy of natural ingredient formulated herbal medicine as feed additives against coccidiosis in broiler chicken. Medicinal herbs used in this study were Artemisia annua, Pulsatilla chinensis, Clematis chinensis and Scutellaria baicalensis. Two week old chicks were administered with 1% ingredient formulated herbal medicine. Observations of the efficacy were confirmed by examining the lesion score, histopathological appearance of cecum, shedding of fecal oocyst and production index in farm. S. baicalensis of the most effective substance were analyzed by UPLC. The results are as follows; among various types of Chinese medicine, the most efficacious ingredient was found to be pure bicalein. The major index substance is bicalein and 13 μg/ml per gram was found. Feeding of chickens with S. baicalensis induced the coccidiostat effect and reduced the fecal shedding of E. tenella oocyst by 14%. Experimental results on a farm, feed conversion ratio and weight gain and production rate in the group with natural ingredient formulated additives than in control group increased. The rate of weight gain (%) in each experimental group showed 108% and 126% increase while the mortality rate was 1.4% lower than the control group. The investigation showed that the most efficacious ingredient was found to be S. baicalensis among herbal medicine products for coccidiostats. However, as it was found in the farm experiment that pure S. baicalensis alone is economically unviable. The additives with cocktailed of efficacious ingredient are suggested to be implemented for effective protection against coccidiosis.