Efficacy and optimal feeding level of rumex nervosus leaves on bood bochemistry, carcass characteristics, productivity indices, and anticoccidial indicators of broiler chickens infected or not infected with eimeria tenella

Authors: ALQHTANI, ABDULMOHSEN - King Saud University; QAID, MOHAMMED - King Saud University; AL-MUFARREJ, SAUD - King Saud University; AL-GARADI, MAGED - King Saud University; Pokoo-Aikins, Anthony

Submitted to: Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2023
Publication Date: 8/28/2023
Citation: Alqhtani, A.H., Qaid, M.M., Al-Mufarrej, S.I., Al-Garadi, M.A., Pokoo-Aikins, A. 2023. Efficacy and optimal feeding level of rumex nervosus leaves on bood bochemistry, carcass characteristics, productivity indices, and anticoccidial indicators of broiler chickens infected or not infected with eimeria tenella. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science. 25,2022-1786. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9061-2022-1786.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9061-2022-1786

Interpretive Summary: This study looked at Rumex nervous leaves (RNL) as a feed additive on broilers (BR). The BR were either challenged (CH) or non-challenged (NCH) with Eimeria tenella. Live performance, carcass traits, immune function, female germ cell count (OC), blood, and gut measurements were examined. 250-day-old chicks were divided into ten groups. The ten groups were made of two conditions (CH or NCH) and five diets (1, 3, 5 g RNL/kg, 66 mg/kg Salinomycin (SAL), or no supplementation). BR were grown for 34 days. The results showed no performance difference between SAL and RNL at 0-14 days after being CH. CH BR had lowered weight gain, feed consumption, and production and feed efficiency compared to NCH. They also had heavier gizzards and small intestines, longer small intestines, and higher white blood cell count compared to NCH. Gut lesion score and OC increased in CH BR, but there was no difference between SAL and RNL. These results suggest that RNL can be used to control coccidiosis in BR. More research is needed to understand this.

Technical Abstract: This study looked at the effects of Rumex nervous leaves (RNL) as a feed additive on broiler performance, carcass traits, intestinal measurements and lesions, oocyte count, leukogram, and serum biochemical indices in broilers infected and non-infected with Eimeria tenella. A total of 250 -day-old broiler chicks were allocated into five dietary groups (1, 3, 5g RNL/kg, 66 mg/kg salinomycin and no supplementation) and were assigned at random to one of ten groups in 2 coccidial conditions (challenged or non challenged) factorial design. The broilers were raised for 34 days. The results showed that the performance of broilers fed Salinomycin and RNL as natural feed additive did not differ (P > 0.05) at 0-14 days post-infection. The Challenged broilers gained less weight, consumed less feed, had higher feed conversion, had lower production efficiency, heavier gizzard, longer and heavier small intestines, shorter ceca, and higher eosinophils percentage compared to the non-challenged broilers. Cecal lesion score and fecal oocyte output increased in the challenged broilers significantly. There was no difference between salinomycin and RNL feed additive. The findings of this study showed that Rumex nervous leaves powder can be used as a natural additive to replace anticoccidial drugs for controlling coccidiosis in broilers. Additional research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of RNL as an anticoccidial feed additive.