Raising broiler chickens without ionophore anticoccidials

SUMMARY: In the United States, anticoccidials belonging to the ionophore class are considered antibiotics and cannot be used in marketing programs such as “No Antibiotics Ever” (NAE) or “Raised Without Antibiotics” (RWA). Therefore, as a growing percentage of broiler production becomes NAE/RWA, producers must learn to effectively prevent coccidiosis without the ionophore anticoccidials that have been the backbone of coccidiosis prevention programs worldwide for many decades. This requires that veterinarians and producers learn to effectively prevent and control coccidiosis with live coccidiosis vaccines, chemically-synthetized anticoccidials, and innovative techniques. For NAE/RWA production, synthetic anticoccidials and live coccidiosis vaccines can be used to prevent coccidiosis. For organic production, only live coccidiosis vaccines can be used. To make the vaccine programs work, all factors critical to achieving the development of active immunity, from vaccine storage, administration, and management in the field, must be optimized. Producers should utilize all of the tools at their disposal by using carefully planned programs and rotations along with improved brooding practices. Experiences show that coccidiosis can be effectively prevented in NAE/RWA poultry production through attention to planning, dedication and management.