ABSTRACT In the present study, we aimed to assess the toxicity of artemisinin on the haematological system and its effect on the productive performance of broiler chickens. Eighteen-day-old chickens were randomly divided into four groups of 30 chickens (three replicates of 10 broilers/group): control group and three experimental groups: ART5 - diet with 5 ppm of artemisinin; ART50 - diet with 50 ppm of artemisinin; and ART500 - diet with 500 ppm of artemisinin. Artemisinin enhanced the productive performances of broiler chickens at the lowest concentration (5 ppm), but at the highest concentration (500 ppm), it negatively affected weight gain and the feed conversion ratio. The performance characteristics of the chickens whose diets were supplemented with 50 ppm artemisinin were similar to those of the control group. Additionally, 5 ppm artemisinin in feed did not significantly affect the haematological parameters of the chickens, but 50 and 500 ppm artemisinin induced a gradual decline of the total leukocytes, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and eosinopenia, and the highest concentration caused anaemia. Artemisinin at a low concentration could be used as a feed additive in the poultry industry to improve organic broiler production performance with no serious side effects.

ABSTRACT A survey was conducted on chicken broiler farms from Romania in August-November 2010 to evaluate economic losses due to coccidiosis. Data were collected from six broiler farms of different capacity regarding chemoprophylaxis program, weight gain, feed conversion, and mortality, for two previous flocks in two houses of each farm, and finally we evaluated the economic losses. Also, faeces samples were collected and oocysts were classified according to their size, and virulence of each Eimeria spp. field isolate was determined by lesion scoring. Correlations between economic performance, oocysts category, and virulence of Eimeria were assessed by multiple linear regression. Total economic losses per 24 flocks of 18,000 chicks each were about €37,948.2, with an average of €3,162.4 per flock, and they were caused by mortality (34.8%) and poor feed conversion (65.2%). Poor body weight gain was associated with AM oocyst category (presumptively E. acervulina and/or E. mitis), high lesion score in the duodenum, and coccidiostat used for chemoprophylaxis. Feed conversion ratio was linked to the same parameters as body weight gain, minus chemoprophylaxis programme, plus total lesion score. The percentage of mortality was influenced by the lesion score in the caecum and total lesion score. Statistical analysis showed that epidemiological survey of broiler flocks during the grower period can help the farmer to avoid important economic losses due to coccidiosis. As in other countries, the economic losses caused by coccidiosis in Romania are important, and a good prophylaxis programme can reduce the economic impact of coccidiosis.