Effect of supplementation of diets with BMD and Virginiamycin on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and bacterial population in broiler chickens

Broiler chicks of a commercial strain were fed diets containing Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate @150 g and 200 g/MT and Virginiamycin 500g/MT feed upto 6 weeks of age to evaluate their effects on growth, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics and bacterial population (Salmonella and E. coli). Both BMD and virginiamycin significantly increased (P<0.01) the body weight gains as compare to the control and also improve the feed conversion ratio. The carcass characteristics showed the highest edible weight was recorded in treatment IV where virginiamycin @ 500g/MT feed was incorporated (76.86%), followed by treatment III (71.92%), treatment II (71.41%) and the lowest (70.68) in control (T-I). The sample of excreta collected during II, IV and VI week of experiment did not show any incidences of Salmonella in any treatment groups, however, the excreta of six week in all the treatment groups showed the incidences of E. coli. [Veterinary World 2008; 1(5.000): 141-143]