Synthetic oestrogens in the production of roasting fowl

Synopsis

Three experiments have been carried out using broiler‐type birds reared beyond the normal broiler stage to 14 weeks of age. In the first experiment control cockerels were compared with birds injected with either a 15 mg. hexoestrol pellet or a 15 mg. pellet of diethylstilboestrol at 9 weeks of age: at this stage three diets of different nutrient density were offered. As the nutrient density was increased, food utilisation progressively improved and growth rates were raised. Hexoestrol implantation resulted in an increase in voluntary food intake of 23 per cent above the control whereas diethylstilboestrol implantation increased voluntary food intake by only 14 per cent. These increases in food intake were associated with proportional increases in live‐weight gain.

In a second experiment pullets received 15 mg. implants of hexoestrol at 64 days of age, and were then fed diets of different nutrient concentrations to 98 days of age. Live‐weight gain tended to improve as nutrient density was raised, and efficiency of food utilisation was inversely proportional to nutrient density.

In a third experiment male birds were reared from 70 to 119 days of age. Four different implantations with hexoestrol at various ages were compared: only in those receiving two implants was there any difference in performance. Six diets varying in energy level and protein level were offered. Growth rates improved as dietary protein levels were raised progressively from 13.3 to 16.3 per cent, though food utilisation was most efficient at 14.8 and 16.3 per cent crude protein. Growth rate was 7.6 per cent greater when the dietary energy level was raised from 3065 to 3275 kcal. metabolisable energy per kg.