title: Growth enhancement in broiler chickens receiving CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial.
abstract: This study investigated the use of CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial as a means of enhancing health and growth rates in broiler chickens. One-day-old Cobb-500 broilers were reared to 42 days. In trial 1, 100 birds received CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial via water, and 100 birds were untreated. Treated birds had significantly greater (P<0.0001) average daily gain (ADG), significantly lower (P<0.0016) feed conversion ratios, significantly lower (P<0.05) mortality, and a significantly lower (P<0.0042) viscosity of their ileal contents. In trial 2, three groups of 40 birds received reducing dosages of CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial, and a fourth group remained untreated. Groups receiving CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial had significantly greater (P<0.05) ADG, and two groups had significantly lower (P<0.05) feed conversion ratios than the controls. In trial 3, groups of 40 birds received either CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial, Salinomycin or Lasalocid in-feed, or were untreated. Birds receiving CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial had significantly greater (P<0.05) ADG than those receiving Salinomycin. CHEMEQRTM polymeric antimicrobial helped to maintain the health and to improve the growth performance of broiler chickens.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia. D.Hampson@murdoch.edu.au
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hampson
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Murdoch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002432:Cecum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D007082:Ileum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D014783:Viscosity; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011108:Polymers