Residues and effects from feeding high concentrations of hexachlorobenzene to broiler cockerels

Eight-day old broiler cockerels received 0, 1, 10, or 100 ppm dietary hexachlorobenzene (HCB) for 25, 38, or 52 days. Treated birds grew faster for the first 25 days, but the trend was reversed at later times so there was no net weight difference at 52 days. Birds receiving 100 ppm dietary HCB had significantly enlarged adrenal glands at 38 days and enlarged livers at 38 and 52 days. Equilibrium concentrations in adipose tissue 12 to 13 times the dietary concentration were reached by 23 days in birds receiving 10 or 100 ppm HCB. Birds receiving 1 ppm concentrated HCB more effectively in the fat and did not reach equilibrium until 23 to 38 days.