Effects of ferrous sulfate consumption on the performance of broiler chicks.
Ferrous sulfate is often used as a litter treatment to control ammonia. A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the effects of single high and multiple low doses of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4-7H2O) on broiler chicks. In Experiment 1, broiler chicks were administered a single oral dose of ferrous sulfate. A direct relationship between mortality and the amount of ferrous sulfate administered was evident. The lethal dose that caused 50% mortality (LD50) for ferrous sulfate was calculated to be 7,010 mg/kg of body weight. In Experiment 2, the addition of ferrous sulfate to the diet at levels from .75 to 12% decreased feed consumption. Ferrous sulfate levels of 3% or greater lowered average daily gain and gain:feed ratios. In a pair-wise comparison preference test in Experiment 3, chicks significantly decreased consumption of a diet containing 3% ferrous sulfate but not of a diet with .375% ferrous sulfate. The results of these experiments indicate that ferrous sulfate can have adverse effects on mortality, weight gain, and feed efficiency of broiler chicks.
Department of Poultry Technology and Management, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne 21853.
A J
AJ
Pescatore
J M
JM
Harter-Dennis
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate