SAFETY EVALUATION OF GENTIAN VIOLET FOR BREEDER CHICKENS

Four [oral] treatment levels (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0.times. the recommended use level) of a gentian violet premix (Dye-Gen) were compared with non-medicated controls for breeder chickens during a 168-day study. There were no treatment effects up to and including 10.times. the recommended use level on: average daily feed consumption, feed/dozen eggs, hatchability of fertile eggs or mortality. Fertility was higher for the birds receiving 2.5.times. the recommended use level than for the non-medicated controls. Egg production was higher (P < .05) for the non-medicated controls and 10.times. groups than for the birds receiving the gentian violet premix at 2.5.times. the recommended use level. Semen of breeder males was observed for percent abnormal sperm, percent dead sperm, percent motility, vigor and semen volume. There was no treatment effect on any of the semen characteristics evaluated. The gentian violet premix is safe for breeder chickens under the conditions of this study. [Gentian violet is used as a fungistatic in poultry feeds.].