The efficacy of Aloe vera gel against coccidiosis in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Production of high quality poultry meat devoid of drug 
residues is a big challenge nowadays especially with presence 
of many diseases threatening poultry industry. Coccidiosis is 
one of the most important diseases affecting Japanese quails. In 
this trial we assed the  efficacy of Aloe vera gel against 
coccidiosis in Japanese quails, 135 one-day-old quail chicks 
divided into 5 groups (27 birds/group) each group had three 
replicates (9 birds/Pen). (P1): non infected and non treated 
group, (P2): infected with (1.44x102) sporulated Eimeria 
tsunodai oocysts at 21 day old and not treated, (P3): provided 
with drinking water containing 4% Aloe vera gel aqueous 
solution starting from the 14th day old till end of trial and 
infected as in P2, (P4): provided with drinking water containing 
6% Aloe vera gel aqueous solution starting from the 14th day 
old till end of trial as in P3 and infected as in P2, finally  (P5): 
infected as in (P2) and treated with Amprolium 20% (0.4g/L)  
for five successive days. Quails in (P1) showed no clinical 
abnormalities with the highest significant body weight gains 
(175.67±.333 g) and best food conversion ratio (2.63±.009) 
among all groups, (P2) showed typical symptoms of cecal 
coccidiosis ,the  lowest body weight gain(119.00±.577g) the 
worst  food conversion ratio(2.97±.009) the highest oocyst 
counts with longest period of oocyst shedding, the highest 
caeca lesions scores,  while quails in (P3) and  (P4) showed few 
clinical symptoms  with  quick recovery   and little effect in 
growth ,significant  low oocyst counts, short period of oocyst 
shedding, significant low  caeca lesions scores,  while (P5)  
showed symptoms of cecal coccidiosis   for  a few days  post 
inoculation but symptoms  were diminished after  Amprolium 
administration. Superior results of quail meat chemical 
composition among infected groups were recorded in P4 (quail 
provided with 6% Aloe vera gel (136±0.71, 92.8±0.37, 
37.6±0.51, 81.26±0.07and6.5±0.03mg/dl) for cholesterol, 
triglycerides, HDL, LDL and protein respectively with   
improved meat sensory characteristics and carcass meat quality. 
In conclusion Aloe vera gel was proved to be effective against 
cecal coccidiosis in Japanese quails. In conclusion Aloe vera 
gel was proved to be effective against cecal coccidiosis.