Lead poisoning of chickens

Abstract

Abstract Extract Lead poisoning in wild game birds was first reported in U.S.A. by Witmore (1919 Whitmore, A. 1919. Lead Poisoning in Water-fowl. U.S. Dept.Agr. Bull, : 693–693. [Google Scholar]), and since that time several workers have indicated that it probably occurs more frequently than is recognized. Birds acquire the lead by ingesting spent lead shot. Those birds which dive and feed underwater would therefore be more susceptible to this form of intoxication. Wickware (1940 Wickware, A. B. 1940. C.anad. J. comp. Med., 4: 201–201. [Google Scholar]) recorded a 25 per cent, mortality in wild mallard ducks in Canada and, in the one bird examined, the gizzard contained twenty-six lead shot and its mucosa presented a putty-like appearance. Stiles (1940 Stiles, B. F. 1940. Proc. Iowa Acad. Sci., 47: 397–397. (Original reference not sighted.) Abst.: Vet. Bull (1942): 12: 393 [Google Scholar]) reported a big mortality in wild ducks in Iowa and an unsuccessful attempt to treat affected birds by maintaining them in warm quarters and feeding various diets.