A New Antibiotic, X-5108, for Improved Growth and Feed Conversion in Poultry

Abstract

Antibiotic X-5108 is a new feed additive produced by Streptomyces goldiniensis developed exclusively for animal use. It is well tolerated by both chickens and turkeys, having an LD50 > 4000 mg./kg. of body weight in both species. It has been extensively evaluated for efficacy in battery and floor pen trials with both chickens and turkeys. In 2-week broiler battery trials, X-5108 was effective in increasing growth and improving feed conversion over a range of 1 to 100 mg./kg. of feed; and in 8-week floor pen trials, it was active over a range of 5 to 50 mg./kg. Comparable improvements in weight gain and feed conversion were seen in 8-week battery and floor pen trials with X-5108 at 5.5 to 10 mg./kg., lincomycin at 2.2 to 4.4 mg./kg. and bambermycins at 10 mg./kg. of feed. With poults, in 2-week battery trials, X-5108 was effective when fed over a range of 5 to 100 mg./kg. In a 13-week turkey floor pen trial, X-5108 and zinc bacitracin were compared at 5, 10 and 25 mg./kg.; X-5108 was more effective at 25 mg./kg. Based on these data, the estimated use level for X-5108 would range from 1 to 10 mg./kg. for chickens and 5 to 25 mg./kg. for turkeys. Thus this new, safe, effective, low level poultry feed additive antibiotic meets the requirements of present-day growth promotants.