While coccidiosis continues to chip away at poultry profits to the tune of USD 9.2 to 15.6 billion, or approximately USD 0.2 per chicken globally each year, the tools to fight it are evolving fast (Blake et al., 2020).
Natural feed additives are now gaining serious traction and are expected to achieve wider adoption in the coming years. At the same time, machine learning-based tools are beginning to help producers identify subclinical issues early and take action quickly. This shift reflects a broader industry move toward sustainable, resistance-free solutions that protect both performance and profitability.
Coccidiosis control in poultry has relied on chemical coccidiostats for over 80 years. But antimicrobial resistance emerged as early as the 1960s, prompting the use of ionophores and blends (Figure 1). Despite these shifts, resistance has steadily increased. Vaccines—introduced around the same time—have seen limited uptake due to sub-clinical infections and performance drops (Figure 2).
To slow resistance, producers have turned to shuttle and rotation programs, mixing coccidiostats, ionophores, and vaccines across flocks and production phases.
Natural solutions—like phytogenics, essential oils, and saponins—are gaining ground. They help reduce outbreaks without driving resistance and can extend the life of traditional anticoccidials. Regardless of the strategy, strong biosecurity and husbandry remain essential.
“Natural alternatives have been gaining popularity due to their ability to minimize coccidiosis outbreaks without contributing to resistance development.”
In the poultry industry, there are seven Eimeria species of the protozoal parasite coccidia that infect different parts of the intestinal tract (Shirley and Millard, 1986). Eimeria have a complex life cycle and depending on certain factors such as species, site of infection and life cycle stage, one prevention strategy may be more effective than another (Chapman and Rathinam, 2022).
“The estimated annual cost of coccidiosis globally is between US$ 9.2 and 15.6 billion.”
For more than 50 years, synthetic chemicals, ionophores and the combination of the two have been available for coccidiosis control. However, no new anticoccidial drugs have been developed for many years (Noack et al., 2019), making optimization of the currently available coccidiostats even more critical (Figure 3).
Not all synthetic chemicals have known modes of action but, in general, chemicals disrupt Eimeria by altering their metabolism during their intracellular life cycle stages. Ionophores disrupt Eimeria by altering osmotic balance during their extracellular life cycle stages (Chapman and Rathinam, 2022).
Synthetic chemicals and ionophores have often been used in combination because of their complimentary modes of action and the additional coverage ionophores have on Gram-positive bacteria. Coccidiosis can predispose birds to clostridial enteritis resulting in high mortality rates and production losses, so any additional coverage is advantageous.
Although combinations of chemicals and ionophores have been used successfully against coccidiosis for several decades, development of resistance has been reported (Glorieux et al., 2022).
Chemical anticoccidials tend to induce resistance more rapidly compared to ionophores because of their mode of action during the intracellular life cycle of Eimeria. However, this resistance may be masked while using chemical and ionophore blends because Eimeria that are resistant to chemical anticoccidials may still have susceptibility to the ionophore, making the overall prophylactic use effective.
The challenges with ionophore use include:
Many producers have implemented programs that rotate anticoccidials between flocks (rotation programs) or use different anticoccidials in starter, grower and finisher rations (shuttle programs) to maintain or improve Eimeria susceptibility (Figure 4).
Another strategy is to use a coccidia vaccine. Coccidia vaccines are based on specific Eimeria species and induce immunity 3-4 weeks after vaccination (Tewari and Maharana, 2011).
Introducing non-resistant Eimeria via vaccination can repopulate the environment to restore drug sensitivity. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is dependent on litter management strategies such as whether birds are raised on fresh litter or reusing litter for several cycles.
One challenge with coccidia vaccines is their impact on performance during the time when immunity is being developed. If birds are marketed at a younger age, there is less time available to regain performance compared to birds marketed at an older age. Recovering performance loss associated with vaccination is one area where feed additives can be used as an effective part of a coccidiosis management strategy.
“Recovering performance loss associated with vaccination is where feed additives can be used as an effective part of a coccidiosis management strategy.”
“Verax™ has the potential to revolutionize coccidiosis detection.”
Feed additives such as probiotics, prebiotics and phytogenics have become part of many coccidiosis management strategies because of their compliance with programs like ‘no antibiotics ever’ or antibiotic-free, and for their unique modes of action that compliment different rotation and shuttle programs.
For example, Eimeria disrupt the intestine, and nutrients are leaked into the lumen. Live probiotics can help overcome this by improving intestinal integrity. Microbial modulators can redirect those leaked nutrients towards beneficial microbial metabolism.
If resistance is a concern, phytogenic-saponin blends may be a way to give stronger chemicals a break, which could help keep these important anticoccidials effective in the long term.
Incorporating feed additives into rotation, shuttle or bio-shuttle programs can help keep current anticoccidial drugs effective while maintaining performance with the implementation of other strategies.
“Feed additives are commonly used in coccidiosis management because of their unique modes of action that compliment different rotation and shuttle programs.”
Identifying the gap in the current rotation or shuttle program is key to determining the optimal strategy for each flock and setting. Tailored solutions from dsm-firmenich include:
Many different programs can be developed depending on the need within the current strategy.
Differential diagnosis may include identifying other challenges that may be contributing such as mycotoxins or sub-optimal vitamin levels.
In addition, machine learning tools such as Verax™ have real potential to revolutionize coccidiosis detection. Today, poultry producers in Europe, Middle East and Africa can forgo the time and cost of conventional necropsy by instead conducting less invasive sampling and blood biomarker analysis to generate a predictive coccidiosis score using Verax™.
In a few years, it is expected that such technologies will use cloacal swabs to predict coccidiosis in young birds anywhere from 7 to 10 days in advance with a high degree of reliability, empowering veterinarians and nutritionists to intervene and avoid feed conversion losses.
The effective management of coccidiosis in poultry is paramount to ensuring the health and productivity of flocks. By implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes good husbandry practices, regular monitoring, and the judicious use of shuttle programs, poultry producers can significantly reduce the incidence and impact of this disease.
Additionally, ongoing research and advancements in alternative control methods, such as probiotics and phytogenic remedies, offer promising avenues for enhancing coccidiosis management. Ultimately, a multifaceted approach that combines traditional and innovative strategies will be key to sustainably managing coccidiosis, promoting well-being of poultry and productivity.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of solutions and services that can help you optimize rotation, shuttle or bio-shuttle programs. With the support of a broader portfolio, we offer coverage for the predisposing factors associated with coccidiosis and clostridial enteritis.
Blake, D.P., Knox, J., Dehaeck, B., Huntington, B., Rathinam, T., Ravipati, V., Ayoade, S., Gilbert, W., Adebambo, A.O., Jatau, I.D., Raman, M., Parker, D., Rushton, J. and Tomley, F.M. (2020). Re-calculating the cost of coccidiosis in chickens. Veterinary Research, 51(1). 115. doi: 10.1186/s13567-020-00837-2.
Chapman, H.D. and Rathinam, T. (2022). Focused review: The role of drug combinations for the control of coccidiosis in commercially reared chickens. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 18. 32-42.
Glorieux, M., Newman, L.J., Wang, Y.T., De Herdt, P., Hautekeur, J., De Gussem, M., Christiaens, I. and Verbeke, J. (2022). Sustainable coccidiosis control implications based on susceptibility of European Eimeria field isolates to narasin + nicarbazin from farms using anticoccidial medication or coccidial vaccines. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 31(3). 100263.
Noack, S., Chapman, H.D. and Selzer, P.M. (2019). Anticoccidial drugs of the livestock industry. Parasitology Research, 118. 2009-2026.
Shirley, M.W. and Millard, B.J. (1986). Studies on the immunogenicity of seven attenuated lines of Eimeria given as a mixture to chickens. Avian Pathology, 15(4). 629-638.
Tewari, A.K. and Maharana, B.R. (2011). Control of poultry coccidiosis: changing trends. Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 35. 10-17.
26 June 2025
We detected that you are visitng this page from United States. Therefore we are redirecting you to the localized version.
