A microencapsulated blend of botanical compounds improves growth performance and gut health in coccidiosis-vaccinated broilers

Vaccination represents an increasingly used tool in order to control coccidiosis caused by Eimeria, especially due to the establishment of a proper immune response and the concern given by the recorded multi-resistances to numerous traditional anticoccidials. In the present study, a microencapsulated blend of botanicals (AviPower®2-500 manufactured by Vetagro SpA) was evaluated for its compatibility with the use of vaccination for coccidiosis. A total of 480 day-old Ross 308 male chicks were vaccinated at hatch with a live attenuated vaccine containing eight Eimeria spp. strains and either supplemented or not with AviPower®2-500 at 300 g/ton for 42 days (20 pens/group with 12 birds/ pen). Growth performance parameters were recorded and, at day 21, 1 bird/ pen was examined for potential intestinal lesions given by coccidiosis. Overall, feed conversion was improved by 5 points and the final body weight was 110 grams higher for the treated animals compared to control. No relevant intestinal lesions were recorded, but the incidence of mild ones was numerically lower for birds treated with AviPower®2-500. In conclusion, the microencapsulated blend showed a positive effect in supporting growth of vaccinated broilers, highlighting the compatibility of this product with vaccination.

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Discover More: Giovagnoni et al. (2024). IX Simposio Scientifico Società Italiana di Patologia Aviare (SIPA) 2024