Coccidiostats and histomonostats are chemicals, either obtained by synthesis or produced by micro-organisms, which inhibit or destroy protozoan parasites which cause coccidiosis or histomoniasis in farmed animals.
In commercial production, the main method of controlling coccidiosis is through the addition of coccidiostats to the feed at the authorised levels and observing the prescribed hygiene requirements. Generally, coccidiostats need to be administered throughout the life of the animal (in the case of chickens for fattening) in order to protect against re-infection from the ever-present oocyst stage of the disease.
