Turkey Growth after Cocci Vaccination: Get Back on Track Without Medicated Feed
US - Poultry producers use live coccidial vaccines, thereby reducing the need for in-feed anti-coccidials. However, live vaccination often causes an early reduction in growth, an effect not observed with medicated feed. This transient reduction is most obvious during the peak of oocyst 'infection' earlier in the growth of birds, writes Dr Jonathan Broomhead from Diamond V.
3 July 2014
2 minute read
By: Working with turkeys given a coccidial vaccine, researchers have shown that adding Diamond V Original XPC™ to the feed improves bodyweight gain and livability.
Previous research in broilers had shown significant reductions in feed intake and body weight gain in vaccinated versus non-vaccinated birds during the first 17 days before coccidial challenge. Enzyme addition to the diet of vaccinated birds diet did not modify the vaccination depreciation effects on performance prior to challenge.
Other research had indicated that coccidial infection – either from vaccination or challenge – resulted in a pro-inflammatory immune response, producing higher amounts of cytokines such as interleukin-1. Other studies showed that injecting birds with interleukin-1 resulted in reduced feed intakes and growth rates similar to those observed during an immune challenge.
Research in broilers and laying hens shows that Original XPC offers anti-inflammatory properties that reduce stress from coccidial infections and improve performance and immune response. Turkey research shows that in addition to better bodyweight gain and livability in cocci-vaccinated birds, Original XPC improves gut morphology.
Reducing immune stress and intestinal interruption caused by vaccine oocytes, while providing the combined protection of a vaccine and Original XPC, should help birds under an intensive coccidiosis challenge.
Contact: Tel: +1.319.366.0745 - email: Mike Wright (Director, Global Marketing & Research) - www.diamondv.com.
