Effect of the anticoccidial agents halofuginone and monensin when given with growth promoting antibiotics upon the control of coccidiosis in the turkey

Halofuginone (HAL) and monensin (MON) were effective in controlling coccidiosis in turkey poults when included in the feed at concentrations of 2 and 66 ppm respectively. At 10 and 14 weeks of age, body weight and feed intake were greater in poults given HAL with bambermycins (BAM) than in poults given HAL or MON with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BAC), Poults given two anticoccidial drugs (MON followed by HAL or HAL followed by MON) weighed more and had a lon er feed conversion than poults that received no medication, but no difference was found in the performance of turkeys given one or two anticoccidial drugs. There were no differences in performance whether HAL was used before or after the use of MON. None of the drugs completely suppressed oocyst production. At 11 weeks of age, an increase in the number of oocysts in the droppings was noted following drug withdrawal, but no increase was observed in the number of oocysts in the litter. There was no indication of clinical coccidiosis after drug withdrawal.