Production and Egg-Quality Responses of White Leghorn Layers to Anticoccidial Agents

Abstract

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of anticoccidial agents on the production and reproduction of White Leghorns. In Experiment 1, nicarbazin (NCZ) was fed at 0, 20, 50, and 100 ppm. Hen-day egg production, egg weight, the egg-yolk DNC (4-4'-dinitrocarbanilide) level, and egg-yolk mottling were affected by the treatments. When response was evidenced, the relationship between those variables and the level of NCZ was basically linear. Decreased egg production occurred from Days 5 and 6 of the treatment through Days 1 and 2 of withdrawal. On Days 9 and 10 of treatment, the control hens peaked at 92% hen-day production, while hens fed 20, 50, and 100 ppm of NCZ peaked late--at 90, 82, and 80%, respectively. Compared to the controls, egg weight was reduced linearly as the level of dietary NCZ increased. The egg-yolk DNC level increased from Days 3 and 4 of treatment through Days 9 and 10 of withdrawal. Egg yolk mottling generally increased along with the level and duration of feeding NCZ. If the NCZ was mistakenly fed to White Leghorn layers, ill effects would be alleviated within 10 days after drug withdrawal. In Experiment 2, halofuginone (3 ppm), maduramicin (5 ppm), monensin (100 ppm), narasin (70 ppm), nicarbazin (125 ppm), robenidine (33 ppm), and salinomycin (60 ppm) were fed to White Leghorn hens at the levels specified in parentheses. Nicarbazin reduced egg production, depressed egg weight, reduced shell thickness, and caused egg-yolk mottling; but internal egg quality, as measured by Haugh Units, was unaffected. Halofuginone, maduramicin, monensin, narasin, robenidine, and salinomycin did not have a meaningful effect on the variables measured when fed to White Leghorn layers.

Concentrations of salinomycin in eggs and tissues of laying chickens fed medicated feed for 14 days followed by withdrawal for 3 days†

“…The breast muscles of birds in this group were degenerated. Jones et al (1990) did not observe any effect on egg production, egg weight, shell thickness and egg-yolk mottling when SAL was fed at the 60ugg -1 level to White Leghorn layers for 10 days. Shehata et al (1990) observed damage to liver, kidney and lung of fowl fed salinomycin at 120 and 200 ugg" 1 for 14 days.…”

“…The quantifiable limit was around lOngg" 1 . Various detection limits ranging from 25 to ISOngg" 1 have been reported in the literature (Dimenna et al 1986a,b, 1990, Martinez and Shimoda 1986, Tarbin et al 1993, Asukabe et al 1994, Muldoon et al 1995. Recently, Gerhardt et al (1995) lOngg" 1 as the detection and quantifiable limit of salinomycin, respectively, in spiked beef and chicken tissues.…”

Fertility control to mitigate human–wildlife conflicts: a review

“…NCZ disrupts the membrane between the egg albumen and yolk, thus compromising embryo development (Jones et al 1990). NCZ is registered in the USA for use with Canada geese (Branta canadensis; Bynum et al 2007) and feral pigeons (Columbia livia; Fagerstone et al 2008) and, in Italy, to control urban populations of feral pigeons (Ferri et al 2009).…”

Nicarbazin bait reduces reproduction by pigeons (Columba livia)

“…NCZ is an equimolar complex consisting of 4,4′-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (HDP). It has been used as a coccidiostat in broiler chicken feeds since the 1950s (Jones et al 1990). NCZ also reduces egg production and hatchability by compromising the integrity of the egg's vitelline membrane, allowing yolk and albumen to mix (Sherwood et al 1956;Yoder et al 2006a).…”