Response of Growing Chicks to Varietal Wines and Juices

Abstract

Growing male White Plymouth Rock chicks fed a purified isolated soybean protein-glucose diet were given a number of varietal wines and juices to test their reported toxicity. There were no observabe significant physiological differences in chicks drinking wines or juices made from Vitis vinifera, Vitis labrusca, or Vitis riparia grapes. A gradual introduction of wine to the chicks, during the initial 48 hours, permitted a total intake of over one liter of wine per chick for the 4-week experimental period. When forced to obtain all their water from 12% ethanol, chicks were depressed in growth but not more when wine was used. With lower alcohol levels, alcohol still appeared the major factor in depressing growth of chicks confined to these beverages, although non-volatile components of a vacuum concentrated 'Noah' wine produced significant further growth depression. Total titratable acidity of grape juices appeared to have no effect on juice intake by the chicks.