METHOD OF ENHANCING PERFORMANCE IN BROILER CHICKENS

1 . A method for enhancing the performance of broiler chicken by improving one or more of the following parameters:

decreasing the length of time required for a chicken to reach market weight;

increasing the average daily gain (ADG);

decreasing the feed efficiency value (FE);

increasing the carcass yield;

increasing the breast weight of a chicken;

increasing the body weight;

by administering during an administration period from about 1 ppm to about 13 ppm zilpaterol in the feed to the broiler chicken wherein zilpaterol is administered every day during the zilpaterol administration period.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the zilpaterol is zilpaterol hydrochloride.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the zilpaterol is administered for about 7 days to about 21 days.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the zilpaterol is administered for about 7 days.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period begins on 35 days of age.

6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period is about 14 days.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period begins on about 28 days of age.

8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period is about 21 days.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the zilpaterol administration period begins on about 21 days of age.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 1 ppm.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 3 ppm.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 5 ppm.

13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 7 ppm.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 9 ppm.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 11 ppm.

16 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of zilpaterol is about 13 ppm.