Background: Coccidiosis presents a severe threat to the global poultry industry, adversely affecting both chicken health and productivity. The extensive use of synthetic anticoccidial drugs has contributed to the emergence of drug-resistant Eimeria strains, necessitating the exploration of natural alternatives that are safe, effective, and readily available.

Objective: This study focused on assessing the potential anticoccidial and hematological properties of the crude methanol leaf extract obtained from Psidium guajava in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria tenella.

Methods: The research process began with the collection and identification of Psidium guajava leaves, from which active compounds were extracted using methanol. Safety tests included avian acute toxicity (LD50) and phytochemical screening, which confirmed the presence of secondary metabolites, indicating potential medicinal properties. The study then evaluated the anticoccidial efficacy of the Psidium guajava extract in 50 broiler chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. The chickens were divided into five groups: groups 1 to 3 received varying doses of Psidium guajava extract, group 4 received Amprolium (a standard anticoccidial drug), and group 5 received normal saline. The study spanned seven days, during which parameters such as feed intake, weight gain, and oocyst shedding were closely monitored. Following the study period, the chickens were euthanized, and various samples were collected for analysis.

Results: Results indicated that the Psidium guajava extract was non-toxic, even at the highest tested dose of 5000 mg/kg, as demonstrated by the LD50 test. Chickens in the treatment groups exhibited milder clinical signs of coccidiosis, including reduced dullness, appetite loss, bloody droppings, and weight loss, compared to the untreated infected group. Treated and infected chickens showed significant improvements in feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratios. Additionally, oocyst shedding, caecal oocyst values, and lesion scores were significantly (P < 0.001) lower in the treated groups, indicating the extract's effectiveness against Eimeria infection. Hematological parameters, including Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Hemoglobin (Hb), and Red Blood Cell count (RBC), showed significant (P < 0.05) improvements in treated chickens, with the highest values observed in the group receiving 600 mg/kg of Psidium guajava extract. White blood cell counts were also more favorable in the treated groups The also showed that the infected untreated broiler chickens (group 5) had significantly lower MCV, MCH, and MCHC values compared to those receiving Psidium guajava’s crude methanol leaf extract (CME) at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg (groups 1, 2, and 3) or amprolium (group 4). Additionally, broiler chickens in groups 2 and 3, receiving 400 and 600 mg/kg of CME, exhibited significantly higher MCV, MCH, and MCHC values than those in group 1, which received 200 mg/kg of CME. In conclusion, this research highlighted Psidium guajava as a potential effective and safe anticoccidial agent for managing poultry coccidiosis.

Conclusions: The study demonstrated enhanced chicken health and performance, positioning Psidium guajava as a promising candidate for further exploration in the poultry industry's disease management strategies. The findings suggest that this natural remedy could offer a viable alternative to synthetic anticoccidial drugs, aiding in the combat against drug-resistant Eimeria strains in poultry farming.