title: Influence of whole wheat feeding on the development of coccidiosis in broilers challenged with Eimeria.
abstract: 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.
authors: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Singh
authors: Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. Electronic address: V.Ravindran@massey.ac.nz.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Ravindran
authors: Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Molan
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004539:Eimeria / Q000502:physiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005895:Gizzard, Avian / Q000254:growth & development; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D033661:Oocysts / Q000502:physiology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry*
keywords: Coccidiosis; Pelleting; Poultry; Whole wheat