Method of enhancing performance in broiler chickens

Abstract

A method of enhancing the performance of chicken comprising administering zilpaterol to the chicken wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is from about 1 ppm to about 13 ppm and is administered every day for a period of about 7 to about 21 days.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for enhancing the performance of broiler chicken by improving one or more of the following parameters:
 decreasing the length of time required for a chicken to reach market weight;   increasing the average daily gain (ADG);   decreasing the feed efficiency value (FE);   increasing the carcass yield;   increasing the breast weight of a chicken;   increasing the body weight;   by administering during an administration period from about 1 ppm to about 13 ppm zilpaterol in the feed to the broiler chicken wherein zilpaterol is administered every day during the zilpaterol administration period.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the zilpaterol is zilpaterol hydrochloride. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the zilpaterol is administered for about 7 days to about 21 days. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the zilpaterol is administered for about 7 days. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period begins on 35 days of age. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period is about 14 days. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period begins on about 28 days of age. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period is about 21 days. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period begins on about 21 days of age. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 1 ppm. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 3 ppm. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 5 ppm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 7 ppm. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 9 ppm. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 11 ppm. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 13 ppm.