Comparative Effects of Copper and Terramycin on Performance of Broiler Chicks and Growers

Abstract

BROILER chicks were divided into twelve groups each of which had either the basal ration, the basal ration, and terramycin, the basal ration and graded levels of copper, or the basal ration and both the antibiotic and copper. Broiler growers were fed similarly. High level of dietary copper [300 ppm] depressed growth. A range of 100 to 200 ppm dietary copper produced liveweight gain as much as terramycin. No additional advantage was gained by combining both copper and terramycin. Either terramycin or 100 ppm copper gave equivalent body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion in the broiler chick starters and growers. 
 Lack of either dietary copper or terramycin resulted in high mortality. Combinations of dietary copper and terramycin stimulated abdominal fat deposition. It is concluded that either terramycin or 100 ppm dietary could be used for stimulating growth and for preventing enteritis in broilers and the choice of either would depend on availability and cost.