Safety evaluation of salinomycin in broiler chickens reared in floor pens

Salinomycin (Coxistac), a new broad spectrum anticoccidial, was tested in broilers reared in floor pens for safety at 50, 60, 80, 100, and 160 ppm fed continuously from 1 to 56 days of age. Four trials were conducted. Comparisons were made to unmedicated controls and in three trials to monensin to monensin at 80, 100, and 121 ppm. The weight gains at 50 and 60 ppm of salinomycin and 80 and 100 ppm of monensin were statistically comparable and equivalent to or better than controls. The weight gain at 80 ppm of salinomycin was slightly below controls but comparable to 121 ppm monensin. Levels of 100 and 160 ppm of salinomycin depressed weight gain. Feed conversion for all treatments except 160 ppm salinomycin were comparable.