Commercial layer RPs are frequently reared on Tiamutin-compatible anticoccidials or more recently coccidiosis vaccines, as producers want the birds to be immune by the time they reach the laying period. In this case the birds may be given the complete programme especially if they are coming from infected stock or are at high risk from contacting the infection during the rearing period.
Programme A – birds on Tiamutin-compatible ionophores or coccidiosis vaccines
| Birds on Tiamutin-compatible ionophores or coccidiosis vaccines |
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In a French study, birds from a M. gallisepticum infected source were treated as above and compared with a similar flock treated with tylosin at 0.05%. In the first 12 weeks of laying the Tiamutin-treated birds produced 4.9% more eggs than the tylosin-treated group (80.67 eggs/HH Tiamutin; 76.89 eggs/HH tylosin) and the peak laying percentage was 8.84% higher (97.83% Tiamutin: 88.79% tylosin).
| Tiamutin® (tiamulin), tylosin productivity comparison |
| No. of eggs in first 12 weeks/HH |
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| Tiamutin® (tiamulin), tylosin productivity comparison |
| Peak laying percentage |
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Programme B – birds on monensin during the rearing period
Pullets may be given the anticoccidial monensin, which is incompatible with Tiamutin, upto 16 weeks of age. In this case Tiamutin cannot be used until at least 7 days after monensin has been withdrawn from the feed. In this case Tiamutin administered at point of lay (20 weeks of age) to infected birds has been shown to be very effective in reducing egg production losses and improving peak laying percentage.
| Birds on monensin during the rearing period |
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In a Polish study, birds infected with M. gallisepticum were treated with Tiamutin at 0.025% in the drinking water for 3 days at point of lay and compared with an untreated control. In the three month observation period the Tiamutin treated birds produced 17.2% additional eggs in comparison with the untreated controls (119.9 eggs/HH Tiamutin; 102.3 eggs/HH controls). Although egg weights were essentially the same the mortality rate of the hens during the observation period was reduced by 23.5%, primarily due to a marked reduction in the incidence of E. coli infections.
| Comparison of productivity over 3 months |
| No. of eggs/HH |
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Tiamutin is highly effective in controlling
mycoplasma infections in replacement pullets
and programmes for control can be varied to
suit the individual farm and its management
system.
Tiamutin for flexible and effective
control of mycoplasma infections
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