Evaluation of performance in broilers kept on prophylactic medication with coccidiostats

Abstract

Poultry coccidiosis is characterized by depressed weight gain and impaired feed efficiency. To offset losses from this disease, chemotherapy has been recommended. Coccidiostats with amprolium base have been in use in Ghana for some years. A trimethoprim + sulphaquinoxaline mixture was recently introduced as a substitute due to fears of resistance to amprolium. A study was undertaken to compare performance of broilers not treated with coccidiostats and those treated prophylactically with either a trimethoprim + sulphaquinoxaline or amprolium + sulphaquinoxaline formulation. No significant differences were observed in the overall average liveweight gains per bird and the feed conversion ratios in the three groups. The production efficiency factor was highest in the group under amprolium + sulphaquinoxaline medication. The gross margin was significantly higher in the trimethoprim + sulphaquinoxaline group and least in the control group. Caecal coccidiosis was evident at slaughter in all three groups. It was concluded that since the prophylactic use of coccidiostats in broilers improved the economic returns of farmers and would offset losses during the frequent outbreaks of coccidiosis, their use should be encouraged but judiciously to avoid problems of development of resistance.