The effects of halofuginone and salinomycin, alone and in combination, on live performance and skin characteristics...

Live performance and skin characteristics of male and female broilers were evaluated under four coccidiostat feed additive programs. Treatments consisted of halofuginone (H) and salinomycin (S), fed either continuously (HH and SS) or in rotational programs (HS and SH) during the starter (1 to 21 d) and grower (22 to 35 d) periods, respectively. An unmedicated withdrawal feed was provided from 36 to 42 d of age. Body weights, feed efficiency, and mortality (by pen) were determined, in addition to skin puncture strength measurements taken at Days 21, 35, and 42 on five birds per pen. At 43 d of age, all birds were processed and individually graded for skin defects. There were no treatment by sex interactions for any variable measured. Male body weights, feed efficiency, and total mortality exceeded those of females (P < .05). Skin puncture strength was reduced at 21 d in the HH and HS groups, at 35 d in the HH and SH groups, and at 42 d in the HH, HS, and SH groups. Thigh sores and scratches were higher for the HH group (P < .05), and thigh skin tears were higher for the HH and HS groups (P < .01). Males had more swollen hock joints and breast blisters than females (P < .001). Females had more thigh skin tears (P < .01) and broken wings (P < .001) than males. Results of the present study demonstrated that halofuginone affected skin strength of broilers, especially when used continuously or only in the starter feed (1 to 21 d).