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Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Allium sativum (garlic) and Carica papaya (pawpaw) with respect to growth and PCV value in Eimeria tenella infected broiler chicks. A total of 36 chicks (21 day old) were randomly divided into 9 groups (Group 1-9) of 4 chicks each. All the groups were infected with 5100 viable sporulated oocysts of Eimeria tenella orally except G7 and G8 which served as control. G1 and G2 were treated with supplement of Allium sativum at 10 and 5 ml/L, respectively, G3 were treated with aqueous garlic + pawpaw extracts at 10ml/litre in drinking water. G4 and G5 were treated with supplement of Carica papaya extracts at 10 and 5 g/L, respectively. G6 was treated with Amprolium at 1.25 g/L (+ve control) while G9 was Eimeria tenella infected chicks and non-treated (isolated positive control). Data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at P<0.05 level of significance. The study showed that treatment with Allium sativum and Carica papaya resulted in marked reduction in the number of coccidian oocysts shed by treated chicks.Even though it was not statistically significant (p>0.05), there was an increase in the mean weight and PCV values in the Eimeria tenella infected but treated groups. Thus, the plants extract can be used as alternative of synthetic chemical drugs in combating coccidiosis and improve chicken health.