Coccidiosis is a health challenge throughout the life of a bird and a major cause for performance and productivity losses for poultry producers. Nearly all flocks suffer from some form of coccidiosis caused by different types of Eimeria (E. acervulina, E. brunetti, E. maxima, E. necatrix and E. tenella).1 When not managed properly, coccidia can cause extensive intestinal damage, predisposition to secondary infections and potential mortality in chickens and turkeys.
Fifty years ago, most broiler producers relied on management practices centered on hygiene and synthetic chemicals when signs of disease emerged. These practices were ineffective due to high challenge and built-up resistance. The introduction of Coban (monensin) 50 years ago by Elanco — as a division of Eli Lilly and Company (now Elanco Animal Health) — transformed how producers controlled coccidiosis in chickens and turkeys with the use of coccidiostat ionophores. This breakthrough product continues to be key in overall poultry health and welfare in flocks across the United States.