EFFECT OF HALOFUGINONE (STENOROL) ON CHUKAR PARTRIDGE (ALECTORIS CHUKAR)

This study was conducted to assess the effect of the coccidiostat halo fuginone (Stenorol) on growth, feed consumption, and survival of Chuka r partridge. Halofuginone was fed to three replicates (14 chicks per r eplicate) of chukar chicks from 2 to 7 d of age at levels of 0, 1.5 3. 0, 6.0, and 12 ppm. Mortality from 2 to 7 d was 0, a, a, II, and 21 bi rds, respectively, by treatment. Seven-day body weight showed a signif icant Linear decrease with increasing halofuginone level (P < 0.01). O n the 7th d, replicates receiving 6.0 and 12.0 ppm halofuginone were t ransferred to unmedicated feed for the remainder of the test due to ex cessive mortality. The other groups were continued until 6 wk of age. At 6 wk, chicks fed 6 or 12 ppm halofuginone from 2 to 7 d and then un medicated feed did not differ in body weight from those fed the unmedi cated control diet. A significant difference in mortality was not obse rved among the other three treatment groups to 6 wk of age. A linear d epression in 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-wk body weight with increasing halofugi none level was observed within the first three treatment levels (P < 0 .05). It was concluded that 1.5 ppm halofuginone depressed growth of y oung chukars and that 6 ppm resulted in increased mortality.