Abstract   

    The effect of growth promoter antibiotic Flavomycin 80® (FLA) and an ionophorous anticoccidial Sacox® (SAC) on the performance of broilers was studied. The supplements were fed as single feed additive or in combination. Two hundred and forty one-day-old broiler chicks were reared for 42 days. The birds were randomly divided into 8 groups i.e. A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2 comprising of 30 birds each. There were four dietary treatments i.e. 0 (A1, A2), 9 mg Flavomycin 80®/kg feed (B1, B2), 60 mg Sacox@/kg feed (C1, C2) and 9 mg Flavomycin 80® + 60 mg Sacox@/kg feed (Dl, D2)o Groups A2, B2, C2 and D2 were given a challenge dose of coccidial oocysts. Weight gain, feed consumption, oocysts in the faeces, clinical findings and mortality was recorded. Flavomycin 80® gave significantly (P<0.05) better performance than all other groups under controlled conditions i.e free of coccidia whereas under challenged condition~ combination of the two drugs gave better results.    

Key words: Broilers, Growth promoters, antibiotic (Flavomycin®), anticoccidial (Sacox ®).