Coccidia thrive in an environment where warm, moist conditions exist and abundant hosts are available. The prevalence of coccidiosis in a barn is reduced, along with the need for feeding anticoccidials as temperatures moderate and husbandry workers can increase ventilation and air flow.

Some anticoccidials, like ionophores, have additional benefits beyond helping to control coccidiosis.

Monensin is an ionophore used to control coccidiosis in turkey flocks and helps to stabilize the microbial population within a turkey’s intestine. But it can also improve performance indicators like average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency.¹

Due to the ionophore's unique mode of action, poultry producers have used monensin for more than 50 years without losing efficacy. The molecule is thought to create a physical hole in the cell wall, allowing sodium and water to enter. The energy required to respond depletes the cell’s energy stores and ends in cellular rupture due to excess water incursion.

Many turkey producers will rotate from monensin to another type of ionophore in the summer. Yet, for reasons outlined below, this may be unnecessary and negatively impact performance.

Does Monensin Use Contribute to Turkey Knockdown Syndrome?

One of the main reasons turkey producers rotate their ionophore program in the summer is that there is a perception among producers that turkey knockdown in the summer is attributed to monensin use alone, but research has not been able to prove this.² Turkey knockdown syndrome is any condition in a turkey flock that has affected the neuromuscular or skeletal systems to the degree that a turkey cannot walk or stand properly.

Causes range from feed restriction or gorging to water restriction and heat stress.² Any sudden change to feed or water intake can precipitate a knockdown incident and may be more noticeable in birds during periods of high growth rate.

Since monensin’s role as a primary contributor to turkey knockdown is not proven, and can be mitigated through management, rotations may not be necessary, aside from raising and lowering the levels at certain times of year. Too many rotations can be detrimental to turkey performance.

Help Control Coccidiosis in Turkeys Without Excessive Rotations

When rotating products, birds will go through a transition period where the effects of one product wane and those of the new product ramp up. During these times, turkey producers will have less control over coccidiosis and birds may have a higher feed conversion ratio.

By extending the use of monensin into the summer at a lower level and for fewer weeks in the bird’s life, birds can maintain feed conversion performance without seeing a considerable increase in knockdown. Monensin also keeps litter dryer than other ionophores, which can inhibit the spread of coccidiosis.

For the best results, proper management procedures also need to be added, such as:

Coban® for Turkey Coccidiosis Control and Optimal Performance

Coban, a monensin product from Elanco, not only helps control coccidiosis, but it also improves feed conversion efficiency and average daily gain in turkey flocks compared to other ionophore.³

Turkey producers should contact their Elanco technical consultant to formulate an optimal anticoccidial program for their flock or learn more about Coban online.