The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of curcumin in concentrate of nursing lambs exerts benefits on their growth and health, as well as on the prevention of coccidiosis. For this, 64 lambs 15 day-old Lacaune breed were randomly distributed into four groups (four repetitions per group with four animals per experimental unit): two groups that received concentrate without curcumin, corresponding to the negative control group (Control) and the positive control group (Baycox) that received the coccidiostatic toltrazuril at an unique dose on day 1 of the experiment; and two groups that received curcumin at concentrations of 100 (the group T100) and 200 (the group T200) mg/kg for 30 days. Animals from groups T100 and T200 showed higher weight gain when compared to the other two groups. A significant reduction of total leukocytes as a consequence of the reduction on lymphocytes was observed in animals that received curcumin, and the same was observed for serum total protein and globulin levels. In some moments of the experiment, groups that received curcumin (mainly those treated with higher dose) showed alterations on serum levels of glucose, urea, triglycerides and cholesterol. Serum antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radicals increased on groups T100 and T200, while lipoperodixation decreased in the group T200 on day 30. Serum creatine kinase activity was higher on group T200 compared to other groups, while serum pyruvate kinase activity was lower. With the exception of the Baycox group, all groups had animals positive for Eimeria sp., but without significant difference between groups. In summary, the addition of curcumin in the diet increased total antioxidant levels and exerted anti-inflammatory action, as well as altered the activity of enzymes involved on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism, which may have contributed to weight gain. Therefore, curcumin supplementation in the concentrate of nursing lambs can be an interesting approach to improve animal health.