Nicarbazin residues in broiler tissue and litter

Three consecutive grow-outs of broilers fed nicarbazin were conducted to assess the presence of nicarbazin residues in muscle tissue and liver and in the litter. The anticoccidal was added to starter and grower feeds given to mixed sex broilers to 35 days. Finisher feeds without nicarbazin were given in the last week. Very few samples of tissue from breasts and leg quarters retained nicarbazin residue, but residues always remain in the ;litter nad reflected the level presence in the feed. Residue of nicarbazin persisted in the litter to the end of the third grow-out even in pens where birds received diets with nicarbazin only in the first grow-out. Residues occurred in livers more frequently than in muscle tissue, but still in a concentration considered safe for human consumption by the industry is considered safe since residues found in tissue are far below the limits established by law.