Effect of lasalocid or salinomycin administration on performance and immunity following coccidia vaccination of commercial broilers

Coccidiosis vaccines and feed medications have traditionally been used in the poultry industry to control or prevent coccidiosis; however, little information exists on the use of these products jointly to reduce the deleterious effects of coccidiosis on bird performance. Vaccination allows preferential cycling of drug-sensitive strains and development of immunity to coccidiosis, whereas medications halt or minimize intestinal damage due to this parasitic disease and help control secondary bacterial infections. The goal of using both products is to allow the bird's immunity to be established while optimizing performance. Lessening the effect of coccidiosis on bird performance could result in substantial economic benefits to the poultry industry. This study was designed to investigate the potential benefits of giving the ionophores, lasalocid or salinomycin, to in ovo coccidia-vaccinated chickens. Utilizing either of these medications in conjunction with the vaccine resulted in improved feed conversion while maintaining immunity to coccidia challenge, with performance and economic advantages seen when the ionophores were included in the finisher diet or in both the grower and finisher diets.