Anticoccidial Effects of Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) in Broiler Chickens

Anticoccidial drug resistance has been increased due to which alternative protocols are required to control avian coccidiosis. In current study, Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) was supplemented in crude form in feed (3%) of broiler chickens which were given infection with sporulated oocysts of different Eimeria species. Toltrazuril (R) anticoccidial drug was administered in control group. Anticoccidial activity of T. ammi was evaluated on the basis of different parameters such as feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, intestinal lesion, fecal scores, oocyst scores and organ weight. Data on hematological parameters and serum chemistry was also collected. Dietary supplementation of T. ammi reduced Eimeria infection in terms of better feed conversion ratio, lower lesion and fecal scores in broiler chickens (P>0.05). Supplementation of T. ammi also improved hematology and serum chemistry of infected chickens. It was concluded from the experiment that T. ammi can serve as alternative candidate against poultry coccidiosis however, further in vivo studies are needed to formulate its dose against coccidiosis. (C) 2019 PVJ. All rights reserved