Effects of feeding Original XPC™ to broilers with a live coccidiosis-vaccine under industry conditions: Part 1. Growth performance and Salmonella inhibition.

Supplementation of poultry diets with Diamond V Original XPC™ (XPC) has been proposed as a means to ameliorate the commonly observed loss of appetite and depression of growth in birds given a live coccidiosis vaccine. A study was conducted to compare the effects on bird performance of a live coccidiosis vaccine in broilers, with and without the dietary inclusion of XPC (1.25 g/kg). Ross 708 male broilers (n = 1,280) were allocated to one of 4 feed treatments: cocci-vaccine (T1), cocci-vaccine + XPC (T2), cocci-vaccine + salinomycin in the grower diet only, (T3), and cocci-vaccine + salinomycin in the grower diet + XPC (T4). Birds consuming diets containing XPC (T2 and T4) and salinomycin (T3) exhibited increased (P < 0.05) feed intake and significantly heavier body weights at 28 d (1.70, 1.74, and 1.67 kg, respectively) and 42 d (3.29, 3.31, and 3.26 kg, respectively). Feed conversion ratio at 28 d was improved (P < 0.05) by adding XPC to diets (T2: 1.47 and T4: 1.44) compared to control diets (T1: 1.50 and T3: 1.47). Salmonella prevalence determined via selective media indicated the inclusion of XPC in the diet resulted in a significant reduction of Salmonella when compared to treatments lacking XPC. Molecular confirmation of Salmonella species indicated S. Kentucky to be present in 38 of the 39 positive samples. Results revealed the ability of XPC in reducing the prevalence of Salmonella. Results from this study also suggest that XPC could be used in conjunction with a live coccidiosis-vaccine to increase growth rate and improve feed conversion of broilers. However, further work is needed to delineate more specific effects directly attributable to XPC.