Influence of whole wheat feeding on the development of coccidiosis in broilers challenged with Eimeria

- Natural approaches for the control of coccidiosis are attracting attention.
- Feeding whole grains may be an alternative method to control coccidiosis.
- But whole wheat feeding exacerbated the severity of coccidiosis infection.
- A mechanism involving heavier gizzards may be responsible for these findings.

A study was conducted to assess the effect of whole wheat (WW) feeding on performance, gizzard development, oocyst yield and intestinal lesion score of broilers challenged with Eimeria species. Diets (ground wheat (GW) and 300 g/kg WW replacing GW before or after pelleting) were offered ad libitum from day 1 or days 7-28 post-hatch. At 21 days of age, each dietary treatment was divided into two groups, one unchallenged control and the other inoculated with mixed species of coccidia (Eimeria acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella). The results showed that heavier gizzards and higher mortality were observed in WW-fed birds in comparison to GW-fed birds. Interestingly, the pattern of mortality in different dietary treatments paralleled changes in gizzard size. Based on increased mortality, it is concluded that WW feeding exacerbated the severity of coccidiosis infection, possibly via a mechanism involving enhanced gizzard development.