Effects of Methanol Extract of Azadirachta Indica (Neem) on Broiler Chickens Infected With Eimeria Oocysts

Evaluation of anticoccidial effects of methanol extract of Azadirachta indica (Neem) on broiler chickens infected with Eimeria oocysts was investigated. The leaves were washed and air- dried to constant weight and dryness and then pulverized into fine powder. Extraction was done by cold maceration using hydromethanol mixture as solvent. A total of one hundred-day old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were used for the study. The birds were divided into six groups of sixteen birds per group. Group 1 – Infected/Untreated (Negative control); Group 2 - Infected/Treated with Amprolium (Positive control/standard – 125 mg/L); and Group 3 – Uninfected/Untreated (Normal control). Groups4, 5, and 6 received Azadirachta indica leaf extract (AILE) at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/L of water, respectively. The faecal oocyst counts of treated birds were significantly (p˂0.05) lower when compared with that of the infected/untreated broiler chickens. Also, Hb, PCV, and RBC in the treated groups were significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared with that of the infected/untreated group; while absolute eosinophil value was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the treated groups when compared with that of the infected/untreated group. Live and relative dressed weights were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected; while relative defeathered weight of the infected birds treated with Amprolium drug and 250 mg/L of AILE were significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared with the infected/untreated birds. This study demonstrated the potential of neem’s leaves as a natural anticoccidial agent in broiler chicken production.