Influence of a Novel Oxy-Halogen Compound on Early Growth and Nitrogen Retention of Broiler Chickens Challenged with Salmonella

The potential of a novel oxy-halogen compound (OHC) to alter early growth and nitrogen retention of broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella was evaluated. Three hundred and twenty female broiler chicks (Arbor Acres x Arbor Acres) were weighed and distributed randomly within a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Main effects examined were the presence or absence of Salmonella typhimurium (ST) inoculation and OHC treatment. At hatching, 80 chicks were placed in electrically heated brooder batteries in each of four identical isolation rooms. Chicks designated to receive 100 microL of an oral inoculum containing 10(5) ST cfu at 3 days of age were in two of the rooms, and uninoculated chicks were raised in the other two rooms. Four replicates of 10 chicks each received drinking water containing either 0, .05, .1, or .5% OHC for each level of ST. Chicks administered .05% OHC exhibited enhanced (P < or = .01) growth at 7 and 14 days of age when compared with control values. A significant OHC by ST interaction was observed at 7 (P < or = .0001) and 14 (P < or = .03) days of age. Feed utilization was improved (P < or = .01) by OHC administration (.05 and .1%) from hatching to 7 days of age. The administration of OHC reduced (P < or = .01) nitrogen excretion and enhanced (P < or = .01) nitrogen retention by chicks at Day 7. Cecal ST log10 counts at 7 days of age for chicks given water containing 0, .05, or .1% OHC were 4.72, 3.93, and 3.74, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)