Effects of ferrous sulfate consumption on the performance of broiler chicks.

Abstract

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.

• Authors: A J Pescatore, J M Harter-Dennis
• Journal: Poultry science (Poult Sci) Vol. 68 Issue 8 Pg. 1063-7 (Aug 1989) ISSN: 0032-5791 [Print] England
• PMID: 2780483 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ferrous Compounds
• ferrous sulfate

Topics

• Animals
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Chickens (growth & development, physiology)
• Eating (drug effects)
• Ferrous Compounds (toxicity)
• Male
• Random Allocation