Effect of Flavomycin and 3-Nitro-10 on Broiler Pigmentation When Used With Different Coccidiostats

In the first of a series of evaluations of Flavomycin and 3-Nitro-10 on broiler pigmentation with different coccidiostats, Amprol Hi-E premix was used at 0.05% in all diets. Flavomycin was included in the feed at 0, 1, 2 and 4 mg./kg., and 3-Nitro-10 was added at 0, 25.0, 37.5 and 50.0 mg./kg. The birds were grown at the Florida and Mississippi Experiment Stations. Shank pigmentation evaluations were made with a reflectance colorimeter to obtain values for dominant wavelength (DWL), excitation purity (EP) and luminosity. These measurements characterize the shank color in terms of hue, intensity and brightness, respectively. The 3-Nitro-10 significantly (P < .05) increased EP values of shanks of broilers in Exp. 1 (Mississippi). The addition of 3-Nitro-10 to the diet also produced numerical but non-significant increases in shank DWL. Numerical but nonsignificant increases in DWL and EP were also produced by Flavomycin. Neither 3-Nitro-10 nor Flavomycin had a significant effect on luminosity. In the second experiment (Florida), both 3-Nitro-10 and Flavomycin significantly (P < .01) increased both DWL and EP of the shanks. Luminosity was not significantly affected by either additive.