Surveillance of Drug Residue Profiles in Gallus gallus domesticus (Silkie Chickens) in Taiwan.

Simple Summary: Veterinary drugs are widely used in poultry farming. However, the overuse and/or misuse of veterinary drugs on farms poses severe threats to public health. This study aimed to investigate the residue profiles of veterinary drugs in silkie chickens, focusing on 48 veterinary drugs and 23 antiprotozoal agents. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was employed to analyze drug residues. Among the investigated samples, almost all samples were compliant, with only a few cases exceeding the maximum residue limits based on regulations in Taiwan. Furthermore, different samples from the same sampling flock could produce inconsistent test results. There was also a positive correlation between drug residues and sample weight. The findings suggest that veterinary drug usage is generally appropriate, reflecting the commitment of both government authorities and farmers to maintain food safety. This study reports epidemiological data on drug residues in silkie chickens in Taiwan and provides possible directions for further studies. Veterinary drugs are extensively utilized in poultry farming for purposes such as disease prevention, disease treatment, and feed efficiency enhancement. However, the application of these drugs can lead to unacceptable residues in edible products. This study aimed to investigate the residue profiles of veterinary drugs in silkie chickens. A total of 130 chicken samples were collected from two major retail markets in Taiwan between 2022 and 2024. The analysis of drug residues was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The overall detection rate of drug residues was 57.7%, and most of these residues were found to be below the maximum residue limits. Among the detected drugs, trimethoprim was the most prevalent, followed by nicarbazin, robenidine, decoquinate, diclazuril, and sulfamonomethoxine. Notably, there was a 31.4% chance that different samples from the same flock would yield varying results. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between drug residues and sample weight. In conclusion, this study provides valuable epidemiological data on drug residue profiles in silkie chickens in Taiwan. In the future, it is highly recommended that veterinary drug residues be continuously monitored, and food product sampling protocols be adjusted annually to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards and protect consumer health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]