EXPERIMENTAL FURAZOLIDONE TOXICOSIS IN BROILER CHICKS - EFFECT OF DOSAGE, DURATION AND AGE UPON CLINICAL SIGNS AND SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS

Groups of broiler chicks of one day and three weeks of age were given feeds containing 0, 400, 800 and 1000 mg furazolidone (Fz)/kg for thre e weeks. The age of the birds and the dose and duration of Fz treatmen t significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) influenced the paramete rs studied. Clinical signs of Fz toxicosis included ascites, leg weakn ess and nervous derangement like convulsions and torticollis. The body weight also decreased. Ascites and nervous derangement was not observ ed in birds fed 400 mg Fz from one day of age. Fz-fed birds developed anaemia and had lower plasma total protein and albumin levels than tho se fed no Fz. The decrease in body weight was related to reduced feed intake. Decreases found in the haematological parameters and plasma pr oteins showed no correlation with the chicks' age but were related to the dose and duration of Fz treatment.