EFFECT OF HALOFUGINONE ON BROILER SKIN STRENGTH WHEN USED IN A SHUTTLE ANTICOCCIDIAL PROGRAM

Continuous feeding of the anticoccidial halofuginone to broilers is as sociated with reduced skin tensile strength and increased skin tearing during processing. The possible mitigating effect of shuttle administ ration of halofuginone and salinomycin to female broilers was evaluate d. Halofuginone or salinomycin were included in the starter and grower diets in all four possible combinations, with anticoccidial omitted f rom the finisher diets. Starter, grower, and finisher diets were fed t o broilers through 3, 6, and 7 wk of age, respectively. Skin strength of pullets fed a diet based on mile and corn (NW) vs a diet based on c orn was also compared in a factorial arrangement. Two further treatmen ts were also included: 1) halofuginone-only NW diet supplemented with 2,500 ppm ascorbic acid from 0 to 7 wk; and 2) NW diet reared on wire floor without anticoccidial treatment. Skin tensile strength was deter mined at 3, 6, and 7 wk of age. Dietary composition had no effect upon skin strength or BW of broilers. Addition of ascorbic acid to the die t containing halofuginone anticoccidial did not improve skin strength. Continuous feeding of halofuginone reduced skin strength whereas with holding anticoccidial and continuous feeding of salinomycin resulted i n high skin strength. When halofuginone was used in shuttle feeding pr ograms with salinomycin, there were no differences in skin strength at 7 wk of age compared to birds that were continuously treated with sal inomycin. These results suggest halofuginone may be used in a shuttle program either during the starter or grower phase without adverse affe ct on skin tensile strength at slaughter.