GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF CHICKEN AND TURKEY BROILERS FED DIETS CONTAINING FLAVOMYCIN

Abstract

Two trials were conducted to test the efficacy of 2 ppm Flavomycin in diets for broilers and turkeys. Four replicate pens of 40 sexed broilers were offered one of six experimental diets representing a factorial arrangement of growth promotant (none, Flavomycin or lincomycin) and coccidiostat (monensin or stenorol). Birds fed Flavomycin were heavier (P < 0.05) at 28 days than birds fed lincomycin or no growth promotant. No difference in weight was observed at 43 days, although Flavomycin improved 0- to 43-day feed utilization relative to other treatments. Flavomycin response was independent of coccidiostat use, namely monensin and stenorol. Broiler chickens fed monensin were smaller (P < 0.05) than birds fed stenorol, a fact related to reduced feed intake (P < 0.05). Four replicate pens of 35 female Large White poults were offered one of six experimental diets representing a factorial arrangement of growth promotant (none, Flavomycin or zinc bacitracin) and coccidiostat (amprolium or stenorol). Turkeys fed Flavomycin were heavier (P < 0.05) up to 56 days than contemporaries fed bacitracin or no growth promotant. Diet had no effect on final 82-day body weight, although Flavomycin resulted in increased (P < 0.05) carcass weight than other treatments. With the exception of improved feed utilization from 0–28 days for poults fed Flavomycin, diet generally had no effect on feed utilization or feed intake. These effects were independent of coccidiostat inclusion, namely stenorol or amprolium, and these drugs themselves had little effect on performance. Broiler turkeys fed Flavomycin and bacitracin showed significantly (P < 0.01) improved carcass finish grades relative to those fed no growth promotant. Key words: Flavomycin, broiler performance, carcass composition