Comparison of the effects of basic and neutral zinc salts on chicks infected with Ascaridia galli.

The present study was undertaken to investigate if the use of basic salts of zinc in the treatment of ascaridiosis in chicks may present advantages over the use of neutral zinc salts. To evaluate this, an infection of Ascaridia galli was induced in young male Hisex chicks of 14 and 30 days of age. The performance of the infected chicks was improved to a greater extent with the basic salt in doses of 30 mg Zn2+ kg-1 body weight. Parasite burden, body weight gain and liver zinc level were used to assess this performance.