The Effect of Coyden® Coccidiostat (Containing Clopidol*)
on Pullets and Laying Hens
0. C. BUCEK
Agricultural Department, The Dow Chemical Company, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566
(Received for publication July 20, 1969)
T HE control of coccidiosis in chickens
through the prophylactic adminis-
tration of parasiticides in the feed has
become a standard practice in practically
all commercial poultry operations. The
effect of continuing research for the con-
trol of avian coccidiosis is evidenced by
the many products introduced in the U. S.
during the past 20 years to combat this
disease.
Edgar (1958) lists several properties
demanding of a new coccidiostat. Some
of these properties include good mixing
qualities, efficacy against lesser known
intestinal species of coccidia, be palatable,
non-toxic, and not adversely affect pro-
duction or reproduction.
Reid and Brewer (1967) compared the
efficacy of Coyden® coccidiostat with sev-
eral widely used commercial coccidiostats
in birds inoculated with a mixture of six
species of oocysts, including Eimeria te-
nella, E. necatrix, E. mivati, E. acervuUna,
E. brunetti, and E. maxima. Stock et al.
(1967) tested the efficacy of Coyden coc-
cidiostat against the common species of
coccidia normally tested in laboratories.
In addition, coccidial cultures were col-
lected from many locations in the U. S.
and several other countries where coccid-
iosis was showing resistance to the com-
monly used coccidiostats.
Since Coyden coccidiostat was proven
to be efficacious in controlling coccidiosis
® Registered trademark of The Dow Chemical
Company.
* Clopidol (3,5 - dichloro- 2,6 - dimethyl-4-pyri-
dinol).
2173
in poultry, a study was conducted to test
its effects on production and reproduc-
tion.
METHOD
A series of trials was conducted to study
the effects of Coyden coccidiostat contain-
ing 3,5-dichloro-2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridinol
(clopidol) on egg production, egg size,
fertility, and hatchability. To evaluate
these factors, a three-generation life cycle
study and a two-year dietary study were
conducted.
Hyline Leghorn, day-old chicks were
used as the initial birds for the first gen-
eration study. Four replications of 65
females and 13 males were used in each
of four treatments, namely 0, 125, 250,
and 500 parts per million of clopidol in
the diet. The chicks were wing-banded
and placed in floor pens containing 128
sq. ft. of floor space. The chicks were reared
under typical conditions, using pressed
cane for litter and heat supplied by in-
frared lights.
The medicated mash feed was provided
from day one until termination of the
trials. Feed, water, and a hopper contain-
ing coarsely ground oyster shell were sup-
plied ad libitum. Weights and feed con-
sumption data were taken at 4-week in-
tervals through the first 20 weeks.
At 20 weeks of age the birds were culled
to contain 50 pullets and 8 cockerels per
pen. This was the only culling done during
the trial. Lighting was controlled to allow
14 hours of light per day.
Eggs were collected daily and recorded
after the pullets' eggs were of normal size;
2174 O. C. BUCEK

a specified number of eggs from each pen
was set weekly in an incubator. The eggs
were candled on the 19th day of incuba-
tion, and the clear eggs were broken to
check for any embryonic development.
Eggs were also collected at intervals for
egg weight measurement.
The roosters remained with the hens
at all times. At the end of one year, the
first generation study was terminated.
Hens and roosters were sacrificed for his-
topathological studies. Sixty of the best
hens and twelve of the better roosters
from each treatment were salvaged for the
continuation of the two-year dietary
study.
Before the first generation birds were
sacrificed, eggs were collected and hatched
to supply chicks for the second generation
study. Identity of the eggs was maintained
for proper placement in the second trial.
The newly hatched chicks were sexed,
and again 65 pullets and 13 cockerels
were placed in each floor pen. However,
in this trial, only 3 replications per treat-
ment, were used.
The care given the birds and the experi-
mental design for this second generation
study,were identical to that of the first
generation trial. The duration of this
study was 9 | months.
Again, eggs were collected from the
second generation study and incubated
to supply birds for the third generation
TABLE ;
trial. The chicks were placed on the same
treatment level as their parental stock.
The same type of care of the chicks and
experimental design were followed in this
trial. The third generation birds were
sacrificed at 8 months of age.
The remaining hens and roosters on the
two-year dietary study were sacrificed at
the age of two years and 24 days.
In all of the trials the roosters remained
with the hens. No new cockerels from an
outside source were used.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1 shows the basal diets fed the
birds in all trials. The starter ration was
fed for six weeks. The grower ration was
then fed until the pullets were in approxi-
mately 10 percent production. The pullets
were then switched to the layer ration and
remained on this feed for the duration of
the trial. No other grain was supplemen-
ted to the all-mash diet.
The average egg production for the
three-generation and two-year studies are
shown in Table 2. Hen-day egg production
was recorded for each replicate of the
treatments and the total averages are
shown. Egg production records were
started when the first egg was laid.
Where the data are presented in per-
centages, the method of analysis was that
described by Natrella (1963). This method
is described in Chapter 8, and is entitled
I.—Basal rations used in all layingj trials

Starter Grower Layer

Ground yellow corn 60.00% Ground yellow corn 60.00% Ground yellow corn 58.75%
Soybean meal, 5 0 % protein 20.00 Soybean meal, 5 0 % protein 14.00 Soybean meal, 5 0 % protein 20.00
Wheat bran 2.00 Wheat bran 4.00 Wheat bran 2.50
Alfalfa meal, 17% protein 2.00 Alfalfa meal, 17% protein 3.00 Alfalfa meal, 17% protein 4.00
Fish meal 4.00 Fish meal 2.50 Ground oats 5.00
Dried whey 3.00 Ground oats 6.60 M e a t scraps 2.00
M e a t scraps 4.00 Dried whey 2.00 Poly-Phos 2.50
Poly-Phos 1.70 M e a t scraps 2.50 Ground limestone 2.50
Ground limestone 1.50 Animal fat 2.00 Salt 0.25
Salt 0.25 Ground limestone 1.60 Vitamin premix 0.50
Vitamin premix 0.50 Poly-Phos 1.00 Animal fat 2.00
DL-methionine 0.05 Salt 0.25
Animal fat 1.00 Vitamin premix 0.50 100.00%
DL-methionine 0.05
m n <\no7.
100.00%
 COYDEN COCCIDIOSTAT 2175

TABLE 2.—Rate of egg production from hens fed diets containing various levels of Clopidol

1st generation 2nd generation 3rd generation 2-year study

Treatment (Production based (Production based (Production based (Production based
on 8 | months) on 5 months) on 3 | months) on 12$ months)

Controls 67.82% 62.08% 58.66% 54.13%

0.0125% Clopidol 68.41 59.92 60.93 52.63
0.0250% Clopidol 68.39 59.13 62.91 45.89
0.050% Clopidol 66.77 60.59 61.15 48.55
4 replications 3 replications 3 replications 1 replication

Using confidence coefficient of .95 and sample size of 1,000, gives the following values for each trial:
Probability .678 .620 .587
Lower Limit .649 .590 .555
Upper Limit .710 .650 .620
0.0125% Clopidol .684 .599 .609
0.025% Clopidol .684 .591 .629
0.050% Clopidol .668 .605 .612

"Comparing materials or products with
respect to a two-fold classification (com-
paring two percentages)."
The values for all levels of treatments
in the first and second generation trials
fall within the limits determined by this
method, and therefore at the 95 percent
confidence level, there is no reason to be-
lieve that egg production from the treated
birds differs from that of the controls.
In the third generation study, the value
for the 0.025 percent level of clopidol is
above the upper limit, indicating that this
is significantly higher than expected.
The hens receiving the basal ration out-
performed the treated birds in egg pro-
duction in the two-year study. However,
since only one replication per treatment
was evaluated, no statistical comparison
was made.
All of the eggs from the replications of
each treatment were weighed for two con-
secutive days each month. The egg size,
expressed in average weight in grams, is
shown in Table 3. An analysis of variance
shows no significant differences ( < .05) in
the egg weights of the treated birds from
the controls in the first or second genera-
tion studies. The eggs from the control
birds were significantly larger (P<.05)
than eggs laid by hens in treatment groups
receiving 125 or 250 parts per million
clopidol in the diet of the third generation
study. The hens in this test were in pro-
duction for only 3J months when the trial
was terminated. Again, no statistical anal-
ysis was made on the egg size of the two-
year study, since only one replication per
treatment was maintained.
The percentage fertility and hatch-
ability of eggs from the various treat-
ments are summarized in Table 4. When
the eggs were of normal size after the
onset of production, weekly settings of

TABLE 3.—The effect of Clopidol on egg size

1st generation 2nd generation 3rd generation 2-year study

Treatment av. wt., gms. av. wt., gms. av. wt., gms. av. wt., gms.
Controls 56.92 55.77 49.29 63.54
0.0125% Clopidol 56.77 55.20 47.78 64.47
0.025% Clopidol 56.35 53.69 47.94 63.49
0.050% Clopidol 55.91 54.04 49.03 62.62
2176 0. C. BUCEK

TABLE 4.—The effects of feeding Clopidol on percent fertility and live chick hatch in the
three-generation and two-year studies

1st gen erat ion 2nd generation 3rd generation 2-yea r study

Treatment % % % %
% fert. hatch m
/o ff pe rr tt
hatch % fert. hatch % fert. hatch
of all of all of all of all
eggs set eggs set eggs set eggs set
Control 93.13 88.06 92 .82 87.25 93.21 90.40 94.01 86.97
0.0125% Clopidol 94.50 89.04 92 .27 86.28 94.46 91.19 91.96 84.30
0.025% Clopidol 93.78 88.43 93 .02 85.08 94.74 92.11 88.63 78.87
0.050% Clopidol 93.04 86.20 92 .01 84.91 95.68 91.42 93.33 82.08
Total Eggs Set 3 , 325 2,970 926 1, 125

Statistical Analy sis of Fertility and Hatchability Data

P= .931 .880 .928 .872 .932 .904

Lower Limits .850 810 .860 .800 .850 .825
Upper Limits .950 950 .960 .925 .970 .950
0.0125% Level .945 890 .927 .863 .945 .912
0.025% Level .938 884 .930 .851 .947 .921
0.050% Level .930 862 .920 .849 .957 .914

135 eggs per treatment were made. Also, SUMMARY

one large setting was made of the eggs
collected from the first and second genera-
tion trials to provide replacement birds
for the second and third generation studies.
In all settings, equal numbers of eggs from
each replication of each treatment were
used.
In establishing the percent hatch of all
eggs set, only live chicks emerging from
the eggs were counted. Chicks that had
only partially emerged and died were not
counted.
These data were subjected to statistical
analysis using the method described by
Natrella (1963) for comparing averages.
Using confidence coefficient of .95 and
sample size of 135 (number of eggs per
treatment), all values for treatments fell
between the limits prescribed; therefore,
there is no reason to believe that the fer-
tility or hatchability of the eggs from the
treated birds differs from that of the con-
trols. Since there were no replications in
the two-year dietary study, the data were
not subjected to statistical analysis.
Coyden coccidiostat containing clopidol
was administered continuously in the feed
to laying hens in a three-generation life
cycle and a two-year dietary study at
treatment levels of 0, 125, 250, and 500
parts per million. Evaluations were made
to study the effects on egg production,
egg size, fertility, and hatchability.
These data indicate no significant dif-
ferences in egg production of the first and
second generation studies. The values for
the treatment group that received 250
ppm clopidol in the diet were above the
upper limit, indicating this value as being
significantly higher than expected.
The egg size was not influenced by the
treatments in the first or second genera-
tion trials. However, the egg size of the
control birds was significantly larger (P
<.05) than eggs from treatment levels
receiving 125 or 250 parts per million
clopidol in the diet.
Fertility and hatchability were not in-
fluenced by the continuous feeding of
 COYDEN COCCIDIOSTAT
clopidol to the three-generation life cycle
studies.
REFERENCES
Duncan, D. B. 1955. Multiple range and multiple
F test. Biometrics, 11: 1—42.
Edgar, S. A., 1958. Problems in control of coccidio-
sis. Proc. Semi-Annual Nutr. Council. Am. Feed
Mfg. Assoc: 19-26.
NEWS AND NOTES
(Continued from page 2145)
scientists are expected to participate in these pan-
els.
I.A.P.I. NOTES
The Institute of American Poultry Industries,
and the poultry industry's International Trade
Development Board has announced the appoint-
ment of Curtis H. Collier, Jersey, Georgia, as Far
East Director for International Trade Develop-
ment. He will head the office in Tokyo, Japan, re-
placing Robert J. Andrews, who has been Acting
Director. Andrews will return to the Washington
office of the Institute.
Since 1947 Collier has been employed by the
Poultry and Egg National Board and has been
Vice-President In Charge of its Southern Opera-
tions. Before that he was a County Agent and
Marketing Specialist in Georgia.
He will be responsible for I.T.D.B. programs to
develop markets for U.S. poultry products in
Japan, Hong Kong, and other areas in the Far
East.
Six scientists have accepted appointments to the
Research Council. The new members are: J. F.
Bauerman, H. W. Longacre Inc., Franconia, Pa.;
A. A. Kraft, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa;
G. W. Patterson, Union Carbide Corporation, Chi-
cago, 111.; W. F. Phillips, Campbell Soup Com-
pany, Camden, N.J.; R. G. Trotta, Minnie Pearl's
Chicken System, Inc., Nashville, Tenn.; and C. J.
Wabeck, Ocoma Foods, Co., Omaha, Neb.
A. Barde Rogers, Armour and Company, is Di-
rector of the Council.
The Research Council, at its fall meeting, rec-
ommends research work which it believes will be
of greatest value to the poultry and egg industry.
Its recommendations are referred to government
agencies, land grant colleges, and private laborato-
ries.
WORLD CONGRESS TRAVEL
Dr. Richard Forsythe, Chairman, U.S. Partici-
pation Committee, reminds Americans planning to
attend the World's Poultry Congress to be held in
{Continued on page 2195)
2177
Natrella, M. G., 1963. Experimental statistics. U.S.
Department of Commerce.
Reid, W. M., and R. N. Brewer, 1967. Efficacy
studies on Meticlorpindol as a coccidiostat.
Poultry Sci. 46: 642-646.
Stock, B. L., G. T. Stevenson and T. A. Hymas,
1967. Coyden coccidiostat for control of coccid-
iosis in chickens. Poultry Sci. 46: 485-492.
Madrid, Spain, in September, that it is time to
start making travel plans.
Accommodations specifically set aside for Amer-
icans in Madrid are already being reserved by U.S.
poultry industry people. All available hotel space
as well as tours are to be sold on a first come,
first served basis. An early sellout is very possible.
To avoid disappointment, reservations should be
made through the International Travel Service, 36
South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois—the
official U.S. tour and travel agency for the Con-
gress—as soon as possible, and not later than early
in 1970.
TEXAS NOTES
Dr. John H. Quisenberry, Head of the Depart-
ment of Poultry Science, Texas A and M Univer-
sity, College Station, was presented with the
Golden Feather Award of the Texas Poultry Fed-
eration for his outstanding contributions to the
Texas poultry industry. The presentation was
made at the T.P.F. convention.
MERCK NOTES
Animal health education grants totalling more
than $100,000 were awarded in August to eleven
universities in the United States by The Merck
Company Foundation.
The grants for animal health education, a new
field of endeavor for the Foundation, range from
$2,500 to $5,000 a year up to three years. The
Merck Company Foundation, with Carl M. An-
derson as President, is wholly supported by Merck
& Co., Inc., a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical
and chemical corporation which is also prominent
in the fields of animal health and animal nutrition.
The Foundation grants will support a variety
of educational projects in such fields as avian pa-
thology, parasitology, pharmacology, and animal
husbandry. A university department chairman re-
ceiving one of the grants may exercise discretion
as to exactly how the funds will be used.
The universities and the fields of education for
which funds were granted are: Colorado State