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. 1998 Dec 1;39(4):433–441. doi: 10.1186/BF03547769

Effect of Antibiotic Growth Promoters and Anticoccidials on Growth of Clostridium perfringens in the Caeca and on Performance of Broiler Chickens

K Elwinger 14,✉, E Berndtson 24, B Engström 34, O Fossum 34, L Waldenstedt 14
PMCID: PMC8050667  PMID: 9926457

Abstract

The effects of the growth promoters avoparcin and avilamycin and the ionophore anticoccidials maduramicin, narasin and monensin on the growth of Clostridium perfringens (Cp) in the ceaca and on performance of broiler chickens were tested in 2 experiments. The supplements were fed as single feed additives or in some combinations. No clinical signs or lesions caused by coccidia were observed in any of the studies. All supplements had an antibacterial effect on Cp and improved growth rate significantly. Carcass yield of birds fed growth promoters avilamycin or avoparcin was significantly higher compared with birds fed anticoccidials. These data indicate that, what concerns bird performance, during good hygienic conditions supplementation with antibiotic growth promoters may not be necessary when the diet is supplemented with an anticoccidial with antibacterial effects.

Keywords: feed additives, supplements, antibacterials, necrotic enteritis

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Acknowledgements

This investigation was supported by the Swedish Farmers’ Association for Agricultural Research, Cyanamid Nordiska Co and Elanco Animal Health, Eli Lilly A/S, Copenhagen. The authors also wish to thank the staff at the research station for very good management and co-operation, excellent technical assistance and for taking such good care of the animals.

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