Effect of Dietary Roxarsone Level on Leg Condition of Male Broilers

Roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid) was fed to male broilers at different levels (22.7 and 45.4 g/ton) and withdrawn from the diet at various times prior to slaughter at 54 days of age to determine the influence on development of leg disorders. There was no indication of any effect from level of roxarsone used or time of withdrawal on mortality, tibia length, width of gastrocnemius tendon, or angle of deviation of the condyles of the distal tibia. Although leg disorders are a major concern in regard to production of the large male broiler, early removal of roxarsone prior to the mandated withdrawal time does not appear warranted and may compromise the anticoccidial program.