Effects of Continuous Buquinolate Medication of Laying Chickens

Abstract

Buquinolate was administered continuously to laying chickens (Kimber 137 strain) maintained in floor pens from 16 through 72 weeks of age. Two regimens of buquinolate were used: 0.00825%o continuously (Treatment BQ 825); and 0.00825% from 16 to 22 weeks followed by 0.0055% until termination (Treatment BQ 825/55). The layers were exposed to coccidiosis at 16 weeks old by seeder-bird techniques, and commencing at 57 weeks of age the litter was sprayed with sporulated oocysts. More eggs were produced by BQ 825/55 and BQ 825 layers than by controls. In addition, buquinolate resulted in better interior egg quality and thicker egg shells. There were deaths from coccidiosis in unmedicated pens but none in medicated pens. Evaluation of the immune status of the medicated layers at termination indicated solid immunity to E. tenella, E. maxima, E. brunetti, and E. acervulina, and only mild lesions from E. necatrix.