Experiences with drug-free broiler production

Blanket bans on all growth-promoting or prophylactic drug approvals are controversial and arguably unwarranted and counterproductive. Nevertheless, legislation, consumer preference, and trade opportunities have encouraged some producers to grow broilers with reduced reliance on antibiotics, including completely drug-free production. Drug-free production programs may have varied consequences on efficiency and disease incidence, depending on the individual situation. Although difficulties may be encountered, most notably with clinical and subclinical clostridial enteritis, experience suggests that these problems can be surmounted, but at increased cost. This report discusses some of the potential pitfalls and interventions to address the problems encountered in the context of 12 yr of field experiences of one producer of drug-free broilers.