The Use of Ficus exasperata Extracts for the Treatment of Coccidiosis in Poultry

Background and Objective: Bioactive ingredients of Ficus exasperata extracts were found at different concentrations to be effective for the treatment of coccidiosis in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. The effect of Ficus exasperata in experimentally infected broiler chickens was carried out together with extraction of bioactive ingredients, anticoccidial activities and haematological variables was also determined. Materials and Methods: Broiler chickens used for the research work were divided into four groups A, B, C and D. All the birds were challenged per oral administration with 1 mL of a mixed suspension of sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella at two different concentrations and later treated with Ficus exasperata extracts. This was studied using different variances for a number of oocyst counts. Results: The oocyst counts after post-challenge showed that coccidiosis infection was established in each of the groups within 3-5 days. There was a significant reduction in the number of oocysts shedding per bird in all groups treated with Ficus exasperata. Hematological variables of groups infected and treated with Ficus exasperata did not significantly differ (p<0.05) from the group treated with the standard coccidial drug. Conclusion: The research was to determine the efficacy and anticoccidial activities of Ficus exasperata plant extracts in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria tenella and to serve as an alternative to the drugs used in the poultry industry.