Coccidiosis Challenge Research

Coccidiosis is a constant problem that reduces flock health and profitability. Because of the role of zinc and manganese in the immune response and maintenance of endothelial tissue (gut lining and gut lesion healing from a cocci challenge), experiments were conducted to measure the effects of a deliberate coccidiosis infection and a subsequent natural infection, via contaminated litter challenge. The birds supplemented with Availa-Zn showed significant improvements in final body weight, feed conversion and reduced mortality (Table 7).

Table 7. Effect of Complexed Zinc During an E. maxima Coccidiosis Challenge^a