Fungistatic Compounds in Broiler Production

Five experiments (3 floor-pen and 2 battery) were conducted with broiler strain chickens to determine the effects of calcium propionate, gentian violet, and sorbic acid when administered in the diet. There appeared to be a linear reduction in total numbers of yeasts and molds in the ceca and crop when sorbic acid was administered at .02% and .04% of the diet in two floor pen studies. This observation was not made with any of the other compounds examined nor was any difference in yeast and mold count observed in any of the other experiments when sorbic acid was incorporated into the diet. Moisture content of the diet (12 to 14.5%), condition of litter (new vs. used), geographical location (Florida/Mississippi), or growing environment (floor pen vs. battery brooders) had no significant effect on total plate counts of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Lactobacillus sp., or coliforms. Generally, the ceca contained higher numbers of yeasts, molds, and bacteria than were found in the crop or duodenum. No interaction was observed between the dietary or experimental variables (controlled and uncontrolled) used in the five experiments.