Comparative Growth Response of Chicks to Detergents, Germicides and Penicillin ,

IT HAS been reported by Harris, Sherman and Jetter (1951) that synthetic surfactants based on sorbitan and polyoxyethylene polymers were toxic to rats when fed at high levels. Ely (1951) found that a lauryl ethylene oxide condensate and other synthetic detergents, such as are commonly used in household preparations, stimulate early growth of chicks when fed at 0.1% in the diet. In the data presented here, the growth responses of chicks to several detergents and germicides, at various levels in the diet, and to penicillin are compared. PROCEDURE In the first feeding trial, Single Comb White Leghorn chicks were used. At day of age, they were distributed at random into electrically heated battery brooders so that 43 groups of 15 chicks each were formed. The basal diet shown in Table 1 was used in this and subsequent feeding trials. Supplements were added to this basal diet as indicated in Table 2. . . .