Field trial with the coccidiostatics metichlorpindol and robenidine in a rabbit farm.

The effect of metichlorpindol and robenidine in broiler rabbits was examined. Administration of 125 ppm metichlorpindol did not reduce mortality and oocyst output significantly. In comparison with unmedicated rabbits, weight gain of metichlorpindol medicated rabbits was 4.76% lower after seven seeks of treatment, whereas feed conversion was improved by 1.87%. There was no effect on the production index. Medication with 33 and 66 ppm robenidine resulted in a significant reduction of mortality and oocyst output (0.05 > P > 0.01). The effect on oocyst reduction became already significant after two weeks of treatment. After four weeks both robenidine medicated groups gained significantly (0.05 > P > 0.01) more weight than metichlorpindol medicated and non medicated rabbits. After seven weeks of medication only the 66 ppm medicated group gained significantly (0.05 > P > 0.01) more weight than the 125 ppm metichlorpindol medicated group. In comparison with non medicated rabbits weight gain was 3.46% better. Feed conversion was improved by 6.76 and 6.55% at 33 and 66 ppm levels respectively, while the production index was improved by 19% and 22% respectively in comparison with non medicated and metichlorpindol medicated rabbits.