Stupefying and lethal effects of alpha chloralose in chickens

Abstract

The effect of concentration of α‐chloralose in a feed on mortality was examined using the chicken as an experimental model. When feed containing α‐chloralose at up to 15% was offered to chickens the relationship between the concentration of the α‐chloralose in the feed and its voluntary intake was non‐linear. The intake of α‐chloralose increased when it was included at up to 10% of the weight of the feed and declined as the concentration exceeded 10%. Mortality increased from 9 to 53% when the concentration increased from 2 to 15% of the feed, and beyond a concentration of 15% mortality declined. When the objective is to maximise mortality as part of a pest control programme, it is suggested that an α‐chloralose concentration of between 10 and 15% would be appropriate. When the objective is to use α‐chloralose for capturing live birds it is important to use much lower concentrations. Even at a 2% concentration some birds died. In one trial using a 10% concentration in 24‐hour fasted birds, up to 94% of the birds were killed within 8 hours. The anticonvulsant effect of α‐chloralose in response to neck dislocation of sedated birds was found to be greatest when a 10 to 15% concentration was used.

Keywords:

• α‐chloralose
• wildlife control