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This experiment was carried
out to study the effect of ionophore drugs (salinomycin, lasalocid and
their combination) on the performance of broiler chicks. Also their
relationship with methionine (three levels) was evaluated. 1620 one-day-old
commercial broiler chicks (Arian) were divided in to 108 groups, 15
chicks per group, and tested in a completely randomized design with
3x3x3 factorial experiment and three levels (0, recommended and 1.5
times recommended) of drugs and three levels (0, 0.1% and 0.2%) of supplemental
methionine. The results indicated that these drugs reduced body weight
gain significantly (P< 0.05) at 21 and 56 days of the experiment. Decreasing
feed consumption and increasing feed conversion was significant (P< 0.05)
due to lasalocid supplementation. Increasing drug level significantly
(P< 0.05) reduced body weight gain and feed intake and feed conversion
was increased at 21 to 42 and 0 to 56 days of the experiment. The effect
of supplemental methionine on body weight of 42 days (P< 0.05) and feed
conversion at 21 to 42 and 0 to 56 days (P< 0.01) were significant. The
interactions between drug type and drug level on body weight gain, feed
consumption and feed conversion were significant (P< 0.05). Lasalocid
significantly (P< 0.05) increased water intake. Drugs did not affect
litter moisture and mortality. The results showed that salinomycin was
better than Lasalocid. Also supplemental methionine was not effective
in compensating for the growth depression caused by ionophore drugs.
