The relationship of maximum or intermediate coccidiostat levels to broiler chick water intake

Two experiments, each consisting of duplicate battery trials, were conducted utilizing day-old broiler chicks for a 21-d experimental period to study the effects of maximum or intermediate levels of several coccidiostats on water consumption and other performance variables. Drug levels given in Experiment 1 were: halofuginone, 2.97 mg/kg; amprolium and ethopabate, .025%; salinomycin, 66 mg/kg; monensin, 121 mg/kg; and lasalocid, 124 mg/kg. In Experiment 2, levels were: amprolium and ethopabate, .02%; salinomycin, 55 mg/kg; monensin, 99 mg/kg; and lasalocid, 110 mg/kg. Both experiments employed unmedicated control groups. Average final body weights, daily feed intake, and feed:body weight were not affected by treatment in either experiment. In Experiment 1, daily water consumption of birds receiving 124 mg/kg lasalocid was elevated significantly (P < .05) over consumption of control birds and those that received halofuginone. Water consumption to body weight and feed ratios were significantly greater for birds fed lasalocid than for any group other than those receiving amprolium. In Experiment 2, daily water intake of groups receiving 110 mg/kg lasalocid was significantly elevated over that of other coccidiostats and controls. This relationship was also present in calculations of water:body weight and water:feed ratios.