Effect of coccidial infection on growth of broilers raised on different litter materials in a deep litter system

The present study was carried out on broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of coccidial infection on the growth rate of broilers raised on different litter materials. Sixty-day-old broiler chicks, each weighing an average of 33.3 g, were randomly divided into four treatments of deep litter materials: sawdust, maize cob, groundnut husk and fallen leaves. Average weight was recorded, and faecal samples were collected weekly for eight weeks and analysed using the floatation technique. About 34% of the weekly faecal samples collected were infected with Coccidia. There was no significant difference in the intensity (Geometric Mean Intensity, GMI) of coccidial Oocyst in the different litter materials (p>0.05; Fcal=0.62;d.f=3/28). The growth parameters tested in the experiment were body weight and body weight gain. Broilers on sawdust and maize cob gained more body weight with over 25% growth rate. Significant differences in growth were observed between the different litters; sawdust and maize cub; sawdust and groundnut husk; and sawdust and fallen leaves (p<0.05). The result of the variance analysis showed that coccidial infection does not affect the growth rate of the broilers at (p>0.05), and this was irrespective of the litter they were raised on. It can therefore be stated that maize cob, groundnut husk and fallen leaves could be used as an alternate litter to the commonly used sawdust which may reduce the high demand for sawdust and subsequently fall in price.