[Pentachlorophenol poisoning in nestlings of canaries (Serinus canarius) (author's transl)]

Using binder twine of bales of straw as nesting material for canaries apparently resulted in a reduction of hatchability. However, the outstanding feature was the high mortality rate during the first week after hatching, with a peak on the fourth day and nestlings never growing any older than three months. Other symptoms consisted in marked retardation of growth and poor growth of feathers. The adult birds presented a normal appearance. The most likely cause was the presence of pentachlorophenol (PCP) averaging 285 ppm).