Evaluation of Coccivac-B® and Sacox 60® (salinomycin) for control of 3 strains of Eimeria in broilers

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of the research experiment was to contrast Coccivac-B® vaccine with feed applied salinomycin (Sacox 60®) throughout the broiler's growth curve. The Schering-Plough theory of Quadrant Performance assumes that vaccinated birds will experience a minor coccidial challenge early in life, allowing them to develop solid immunity leading to their rebound in terms of performance. The experiment was conducted utilizing 936 Cobb x Cobb males in 6 treatments: control-unchallenged (C-); control-challenged (C+); Sacox 60®-unchallenged (60g/ton; 0-35 days; S-); Sacox 60®-challenged (S+); vaccinated unchallenged (Coccivac-B® at hatch; V-); and vaccinated-challenged (V+). Challenge consisted of an oral dose of sterile saline (-) or a mixture of 3 Eimeria species as oocysts (+) at 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. Variables examined included live weight, FE, gross lesion scores (upper small intestine, mid small intestine, and ceca), microscopic lesion scores (E. maxima, E. tenella, and E. acervulina), body composition, O2 consumption, and CO2 production.

Findings and Conclusions: C- birds exhibited superior performance than C+ birds at all ages (P<0.01) while results for other treatments are age dependent. In general, the performance criteria were similar for the - birds throughout the trial with the V-birds experiencing some depression on day 20. V+ and S+ birds were superior to C+ birds (P<0.05) post 20d. The V+ group exhibited better performance than the S+ group after day 34 in most areas. S+ birds were superior for most performance criteria to the C+ birds until day 41 when they became similar and remained so for the rest of the trial. Lesion scores for all intestinal tract areas and species of Eimeria correlate with performance data. The V- birds experienced slightly increased lesion scores on day 20 due to vaccine. Energy data also follows the general trends seen in performance. The data presented supports the Schering-Plough Animal Health theory for Quadrant Performance.