The Occurrence of a Toe Abnormality in Chicks Fed Propylene Glycol

Abstract

Propylene glycol (1, 2-dihydroxy propane) is unique among the glycols because its low toxicity permits it to be taken internally. In recent years it has been shown to be effective in the prevention of bovine ketosis (Maplesden, 1954). Bayley et al. (1967) reported that up to 8% propylene glycol could replace an equivalent amount of corn starch in the diet of chicks.During the course of feeding trials conducted at this laboratory to evaluate propylene glycol as a feed ingredient for poultry diets, a peculiar deformity of the toe was observed (Figure 1). The toes turned outward at each joint with the incidence of the condition increasing as the level of propylene glycol increased in the diet (Table 1). These chicks were maintained in electrically heated battery brooders with raised wire floors and a small incidence of deformed or crooked toes were observed even in the control group with no .