Anticoccidial drugs for preventive therapy in intensively reared pheasants

A range of anticoccidial drugs was tested in young pheasants inoculated with three species of eimeria. Eimeria colchici, the most pathogenic species, was completely controlled by clopidol/methyl benzoquate and robenidine hydrochloride with the elimination of oocyst production. Clopidol and arprinocid gave good protection with reduced oocyst output and clopidol also adversely affected oocyst sporulation. Halofuginone and monensin were less effective. Amprolium hydrochloride/sulphaquinoxaline/ethopabate (ASE) and sulphaquinoxaline were ineffective. Both halofuginone and ASE controlled infections caused by E phasiani and E duodenalis. Halofuginone at 3, 6 or 9 ppm in the food produced no toxic effects in pheasants but growth rates of red-legged partridge chicks were retarded by concentrations of 3 and 6 ppm. Halofuginone protected young pheasants in a field trial in which sulphaquinoxaline was less effective.