Toxicity of 1,2-diethylhydrazine fed to turkey poults.

Toxic effects of 1,2-diethylhydrazine, a putative furazolidone metabolite, were determined in turkey poults 2 to 5 weeks of age. The drug was administered either in the drinking water or by gastric intubation. Toxic effects included depression of growth, decreased feed intake, and increased feed conversion. There was no evidence of an induced cardiomyopathy. These findings indicate that the etiology of furazolidone toxicity involves more than one mechanism.