The Effects of Oral Administration of Diethylstilbestrol and Dienstrol Diacetate on Growth Rate and Efficiency of Feed Utilization of Beltsville Small White Turkey Broilers

ORAL feeding and subcutaneous implantations of hormones or hormone-like compounds to chickens and turkeys have resulted in conflicting reports. Smith (1949) reported a growth depression or no growth effect when estrogens were administered to turkeys. Similar results were reported by Davidson et al. (1946) and Lane et al. (1951). In contrast to these reports, Lorenz (1944 Lorenz (1945) administered diethylstilbestrol to turkeys and chicks and reported an increased deposition of abdominal fat in turkeys and a marked increase in fat content of the muscle tissue of chickens. Almquist and Merritt (1952) also reported an improvement in gain and feed conversion in turkeys following diethylstilbestrol pellet implantation (15 mg. pellet). Thayer and Davis (1948) reported increased gain and fatness following estrogen treatment and Smyth and Vondell (1955) found an improvement in gain and finish but no improvement in feed conversion following diethylstilbestrol administration. In a comparison of the response of large and …