GB1588405A - Raising of animals and poultry for slaughter - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE RAISING OF ANIMALS AND POULTRY FOR SLAUGHTER (71) We, LEONID MARKOVICH YAKIMENKO, ulitsa, 7, kv.17, Moscow, ELLA, DAVIDOVNA KUZNETS, ulitsa Baikalskaya, 30, korpus 2, kv.152 Moscow, VIKTOR ISAEVICH MIKHAILOV, ulitsa, Ostrovityanova, 17, korpus 2, kv.287, Moscow, SERGEI NIKOLAEVICH KOZHUKOV, ulitsa Tukhachevskogo, -24, korpus 1, kv.39, Moscow, BORIS ALEXEEVICH ILIN, ulitsa B. Mariinskaya, 3, kv.31, Moscow, ALEXEI ALEXEEVICH ANTONOV, ulitsa Samarkandsky bulvar, 32, korpus 1, kv.141, Moscow, IGOR VIKTOROVICH SAVITSKY, ulitsa Menzhinskogo, 2, kv.173, Kiel, TATYANA SAVELIEVNA KRASJUK, ulitsa Moldagulovoi, 28, korpus.Kv.l88, Moscow, LARISA ABRAMOVNA AKERMAN, ulitsa Udaltosova, 17, kv.Moscow all citizens of the United Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and all of the USSR, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to farming and concerns increasing productivity in raising for slaughter animals and poultry including cattle, sheep, pigs and rabbits (hereinafter referred to simply as livestock).

The chief object of the invention is to provide for intensification of the fattening of livestock in the production of meat.

According to the present invention a process for raising livestock for slaughter includes feeding to the livestock as a supplement a composition comprising a perchlorate having the formula X(ClO4)n, where X is NH4, an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal, and n is the number equal to the valence of X, and a dispersed porous carrier which contains the perchlorate as active substance and which is inert relative to the perchlorate and harmless for internal use, to promote the growth and increase the weight --of the livestock.

Preferably the content of the active substance in the said composition amounts to 5-50 wt.% iri terms of Cl04 ion. The upper concentration limit is determined by the carrier capacity, and reduction of the active substance concentration below 5% is not feasible as it results in unreasonably large doses of the composition fed. The active substance concentration may exceed 50 wit.% but this is made possible by using highly dispersed carriers. Application of highly concentrated compounds however, makes their combination with the feed less convenient. The most effective concentration of the active substance in terms of the Cl04 ion is 15-33 iG.

As perchlorates there may be used NH4ClO4, NaClO4, Mg(ClO4)2, Ca(ClO4)2 or mixtures thereof, as well as any perchlorates containing any other metal producing no adverse effect on the animal's system.

The application of alkaline-earth metal salts is preferable, inasmuch as magnesium and calcium ions constitute the usual components in the diet of the animals (e.g. they are present in water in considerably greater quantities). and the said salts are less explosion-hazardous than the ammonium- salt, which makes them more suitable for industrial production of the composition.

The carrying agent may be any mineral carrier, including perlite, silica gel, diatomite, alumogel and other inert dispersed materials harmless for internal use.

Sodium chloride and/or magnesium and calcium chlorides may be additionally introduced into the mixture composition. In such cases, both mineral and organic carriers may be used.

Wood sawdust. chopped hay, straw. feed meal. etc. may be used as such as an organic carrier.

The preparation form of the composition is a free-flowing noncaking powder.

The proposed composition was given the code name "ROSTOM" and hereinafter it will be referred to as such.

Further according to the present invention we provide a method of producing a composition for use as a food supplement in raising livestock for slaughter, comprising treating a porous inert carrier harmless for internal use with an aqueous solution containing a perchlorate which has the formula X(ClO4)n, where X is an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal, or the ammonium NH4 ion, and n is the number equal to the valence of X, the concentration of ClO4 ion being from 100 to 920 g/l, to provide a composition containing from 5 to 50 wt% of the perchlorate in terms of the ClO4- ion, and allowing ambient-air drying of the composition.

The carrier may be treated with the salt by immersing the former in the salt solution with subsequent exposure for 10-60 minutes, separation of the impregnated carrier from the solution, and drying of the impregnated carrier by exposure thereof to the ambient air. The carrier may also be treated by spraying the salt solution over it, and drying the resulting impregnated carrier by exposing same to the ambient air.

To obtain ROSTOM containing sodium magnesium or calcium chlorides, the latter should be introduced into the impregnating solute composition in pure form, or by an exchange reaction between sodium perchlorate and the chloride of the respective salt.

ROSTOM obtained on the basis of ammonium perchlorate may be used in areas with ,a humid and cool climate. However, in order to ensure the safe use of the composition, it is preferable to prepare it based on magnesium or calcium salts. But these salts should be also applied to a mineral carrier and may be safely used at relative air humidity of 30%.

Introducing sodium and/or calcium and magnesium chlorides into the make-up of the compound makes it yet greater fire and explosion proof. In this case, the composition obtained on the basis of Mg and Ca perchlorate salts is freely usable under any conditions, even with an organic carrier.

When ROSTOM is placed into water, the active substance is quickly and fully washed out of the carrier into the aqueous medium.

It is recommended to use ROSTOM in feed in mixtures, the doses of the active substance ranging from 1 to 3 mg per 1 kg of the animal's weight in 24 hours, although an increase of the active substance up to 10 mg is also possible.

The composition is quickly absorbed by the animal's system and is completely excreted therefrom within 24-36 hours practically without selectively accumulating in any organ or tissue. No adverse side effect has been registered and some data indicate an improvement of the meat quality.

The application of ROSTOM at the final stage of fattening steps up feed assimilation which results in increased nitrogen retention and makes for a more effective synthesis of the main tissues of the system without increasing the animal diet.

The toxic action of ROSTOM was studied using different animals: white mice, white rats and rabbits (2.5 - 3 kg) when it was administered perorally, as well as when the active substance in solution was administered intravenously and subcutaneously. Toxicity was determined under acute, subacute and chronic experimental conditions. Table 1 shows the main toxicometric data.

TABLE 1 Main toxicometric data Lethal doses, mg of active substance I 1 kg Administered LD5() LD84 mice rats rabbits mice rats rabbits Perorally 2400 4500 750 3100 6200 900 Intravenously 493 800 100-150 625 1083 220 Subcutaneously 950 1600 - 1425 3830 As is seen, acute toxicity depends on the method of administering the active substance into the organism. The composition is least toxic when administered perorally. The rating of the preparation by the accepted classification allows it to be classed as a practically non-poisonous chemical substance.

The chronic administration of the composition. in doses of 50, 10 and 1 mg/l kg of the animal's weight for 6-12 months caused no apparent changes in the behaviour, general condition and survivability of the animals.

It was established experimentally that the lethal dose is approximately 1000 times greater than the optimum one.

When evaluating biologically active substances proposed as fattening stimulators for farm animals, great emphasis is placed on the rates of assimilation, distribution and excretion of the preparation from the organism. For studies ROSTOM's active substance was used marked with radioactive chlorine. The experiments were carried out using white rats, males and females weighing 150-180 g, and sheep.

When administered perorally, the Cl04 ions are quickly assimilated penetrating into all organs and tissues. The maximum radioactive content in the blood of white rats was detected after 1 hour following the administration. -Then the radioactivity level was gradually decreased and in 24-28 hours after administering the composition, traces of radioactivity were found only in a few organs. The data represented in Table 2.

Experiments with rats indicated no cumulative effect when the composition was administered repetedly (during 30 days). Thus, it was shown that the Cl04 ions do not accumulate in the organism.

In experiments with sheep the maximum C136 content in the blood was observed in 2 hours after administering the composition. Then blood radioactivity sharply dropped, only traces of it being detectable in 24 hours.

TABLE 2 Distribution of C36 in organs and tissues of rats after oral administration of,a single portion of the compound Radioactivity, 1 10-7 micro-Curie/g.

of tissue in 60 minutes in 48 hours Blood 34.3 0 Thyroid gland 33.0 1.2 Liver 13.6 0 Kidney 26.0 0.3 Femur muscle 8.7 0 Bone 0 The excretion of the C104 ion from the organism is effected mainly by kidneys. This is also indicated by results of direct radioactivity measurements of organs and tissues of sheep killed at different periods after administering the composition.

It was found in experiments with sheep that, irrespective of its content in the blood, the relative content of the C104 ion in the muscle tissue with respect to its content in the blood remained constant and amounted to 5-7 %. In 72 hours. a practically complete excretion of the ClO-4- ion from the organism occurred.

Animals receiving ROSTOM are in the normal state. No side. undesirable or remote effects have been observed.

Observation of the clinical condition of the experimental animals did not indicate any considerable deviations from the norm. Clinical and hematological data indicated the normal state of the animals.

When studying the biochemical blood characteristics of the experimental animals. normal protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolisms were observed. The data are shown in Table 3.

ROSTOM raises the total content of nucleic acids in the blood. the liver and the longest muscle of the back of the animals. The relative stability of the absolute blood serum albumin content, the liver histologic structure data indicate that the compositions tested do not produce any adverse effect on the proteosynthetic liver function.

ROSTOM has a favourable effect on the digestibility of the main nutrients of the feed in the animal system. Specially conducted experiments showed that ROSTOM slows down the passage of food in the alimentarv tract making possible a more complete assimilation of the feed nutrients (particularly. of protein and cellulose). The addition ROSTOM alters the digestive processes in the rumen of ruminants. Under its influence the pH is lowered, the propionic acid concentration is increased, as well as that of the protein nitrogen, and the level of formation of the volatile fatty acids.

A decrease of energy losses is observed in the animals spent on accumulation of heat, the effectiveness of feed is increased which is shown in greater weight gains and lower feed consumption per a unit of gained weight.

The data presented below characterize the effectiveness of application of ROSTOM based on ammonium perchlorate (ROSTOM A) and magnesium perchlorate (ROSTOM M) for the fattening of cattle. During the period of 2-4 months before slaughter, the animals were fed ROSTOM in addition to the main diet (in mixture with concentrated feed, swill and-granulated mixed food) in quantities 2.0-2.5 mg of the active substance per 1 kg of the animal weight. ROSTOM was withheld from the diet 3-4 days before slaughter. The data are shown in Tables 4 and 5. -In the control tests indicated in the Tables the animals were kept in the same conditions, with the same diet as those in the test groups, but they did not receive the composition.

Similar effects are produced by ROSTOM during the fattening of pigs, sheep, rabbits and broilers. The application of ROSTOM in the fattening of sheep results in a greater wool clip, and when it is given to fur-bearing animals, their pelt sizes increase.

Compared to the-controls, the quality of meat obtained from animals receiving ROSTOM is not lower, some of the data indicating higher quality of beef (after application of ROSTOM M).

In Table 6 are shown meat analysis results obtained after the slaughter of castrated bull-calves of the Kazakh white-head breed which received ROSTOM.

The data in Table 6 make possible a positive evaluation of the quality of meat obtained from animals which received ROSTOM.

TABLE 3 Biochemical characteristics of the blood of bull-calves Experimental groups Characteristics inve- Group 1 Composition fed stigated control Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 10 mg/kg 2 - mg/g 1 mg/kg 3 mg/kg Serum protein, g/% 7.53 8.25 8.17 7.41 7.58 Residual nitrogen mg cic 35.9 42.8 41.5 38.5 43.6 General lipids, mg Ck 970 988 994 1012 958 Licitine. mg % 127 140 125 135 Cholesterol, mg % 165 192 177 170 167 Sugar. mg % 58.3 53.8 60 58.5 58.2 Cholinesterase 181 229 194 171 207 Protein-related iodine. mkg % 4.32 3.87 3.98 4.14 3.76 ROSTOM additionallv introduced into the animal diet in amounts of 2 to 25 mg/kg of the animal weight (in terms the C104 content) did not affect the high quality of the meat, while growth promoters applied for similar purposes previously produced certain hydrophilous properties in the meat with the correspondingly lower white matter content.

The veterinary inspection of meat at initial stages of storage, obtained from animals of control and experimental groups indicated that its storage life is practically the same. The chemical composition of the fat (from various deposition areas) did not show any considerable discrepancy with the control sample. Experts tasting the boiled meat and broths did not detect any strange smells and other deviations.

Thus, according to results obtained both under laboratory and industrial animal farming conditions, ROSTOM is seen to intensify considerably animal fattening.

The low toxicity of the active substance combined with safe handling of the composition, its low cost, availability and high economic effectiveness prove that it has a promising future in animal husbandry.

Below are shown a few Examples of methods of obtaining ROSTOM using perlite, silica gel, diatomite, grass meal, and wood TABLE 4 Effective application of ROSTOM AX) No. of Weight Group of experi- Duration gain rela- Economy, animals ment of experi- tive to con- of feed, ment, days control, % 1 2 3 4 5 Cows Black-mottled breed Bull-calves 1 120 18 16 Bull-calves 2 80 11.8 9.5 Bull-calves 3 91 19.8 17.1 Bull-calves 4 59 15.2 7.1 Bull-calves 5 120 18.3 Bull-calves 6 285xx)~ 8 7.0 Bull-calves 7 90 17.8 14.6 gelders 8 80 16.4 15.9 Brown Latvian breed bull-calves 9 88 10.5 8.8 bull-calves 10 94 13.9 3.4 x)Preparation was used with interruptions xx)Number of animals in each experiment amounted to 300-500 head 1 2 3 4 5 Simmenthal breed bull-calves 11 30 14,5 12.5 gelders 12 53 24.9 20.3 -heifers 13 30 14.8 10.3 Kazakh white head breed gelders 14 l8Ox) 17.8 10.7 gelders 15 90 17.3 16.1 gelders 16 90 21.5 Kholmogor breed heifers 17 30 31.5 18.5 Chicken broilers 18 28 8.6 19 19 40 13.2 TABLE 5 Effective application of ROSTOM M Breed No. of Duration of Weight gain Economy of experi- experiment, relative to of feed, cattle ment days control, % % Brown steppe 1 31 25.8 21.0 breed Simmenthal breed 30 head 2 30 16.8 39 head 3 30 10.9 32 head 4 30 28.5 21.5 Kazakh white head breed 271 head 5 90 16.7 14.0 Brown steppe breed 512 head 6 90 33.1 19.6 TABLE 6 Meat analysis results Sample Group Content, % Calori dry protein fat ash city.

matter kcal/kg Longest muscle cont- 23.97 20.98 1.99 1.00 1045 of the back rol prepa- 24.58 21.20 2.36 1.02 1088 ration Average sample cont- 34.61 16.82 16.80 0.99 2252 of carcass rol prepa- 35.74 17.18 17.56 1.00 2337 ration sawdust, with different make-ups of the impregnating solution containing the active substance, and with subsequent drying of the impregnated carrier in the ambient air.

Example 1 One kilogram of perlite with a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3 having a particle size of 0.15 to 1 mm is placed in a vessel containing 25 liters of solution with the Mg(Cl04), concentration of 735 g/l, held therein for 60 minutes with mixing, separated from the solution by filtering under vacuum at room temperature. The obtained composition contains 45 % of perchlorate by weight in terms of the Cl04 ion.

Example 2 One kilogram of perlite with a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3 having a particle size of 0.15 to 1 mm is placed in a vessel containing 20 litres of solution with the Mg(Cl04), concentration of 527 g/l, held for 30 minutes and separated from the solution by filtering under vacuum. The obtained composition contains 25 % of perchlorate by weight in terms of the ClO-4 ion, 7.2% of NaCl corresponding to 0.29 parts by weight of NaCI relative to the content of the C104 ion.

Example 3 One kilogram of perlite with a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3 having a particle size of 0.15 to 1 mm is placed in a vessel containing 25 liters of solution with a concentration of Mg(Cl04) 527 g/1. a concentration of NaCI 136 g/1 and a concentration of MgCl2 18 g/l, held for 15 minutes and separated from the solution by filtering under vacuum. The obtained composition contains 23.8 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the ClO4 ion, 6.6 % of NaCl, 0.9 % of MgCl2 corresponding to 0.28 parts by weight of NaCI and 0.038 parts by weight of MgC12 relative to the content of the ClO-4 ion.

Example 4 One kilogram of perlite with a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3 having a particle size of 0.15 to 1 mm is placed into a solution containing 560 g/l of Ca(ClO4)2, held for 10 minutes with mixing and separated from the solution by filtering under vacuum. The obtained composition contains 30 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the Cl04 ion.

Example 5 One kilogram of perlite with a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3 is placed in a vessel containing 25 liters of solution with a concentration of the mixture of Ca(C104), and Mg(Cl04)) with a ratio of 1:1. held for 10 minutes with mixing and separated from the solution. The compound contains 32 % by weight of per chlorate in terms of the ClO4 ion.

Example 6 One kilogram of dried silica gel having a particle size of 1 to 2 mm is placed in a vessel containing 5 liters of solution with the Mg(ClO4)2 concentration of 336 g/1NaCl concentration of 168 g/l and MgCl, concentraton of 9 g/l, held with mixing for 30 minutes and separated by filtering under vacuum. The obtained composition contains 18 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the C104 ion. 10.1 % of NaCI, 0.54 of MgCl2, corresponding to 0.56 parts by weight of NaCI and 0.03 parts by weight of MgCl2 relative to the Cl04 ion content.

Example 7 One kilogram of diatomite with the powder unit surface of 6.7 m2/g is placed in a vessel, containing 25 liters of solution with the Mg(ClO4)2 concentration of 336 g/1, the NaCI concentration of 168 g/l and the MgCI2 concentration of 9g/l, held with mixing for 30 minutes and separated by filtering. The obtained composition contains 31 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the Cl04 ion, 17.4% of NaCI, 0.93 % of MgCl2 corresponding to 0.56 parts by weight of NaCI and 0.03 parts by weight of MgCl2 relative to the ClO4- ion content.

Example 8 One kilogram of chopped hay (grass meal) is placed in a vessel containing 25 liters of solution with the Mg(ClO4)2 concentration of 336 g/l. NaCI concentration of 168 g/1, MgCl2 concentration of 9 g/l, mixed for 15 minutes and separated by filtering. The obtained composition contains 15 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the Cl04 ion, 8.4 % of NaCI, 0.45 % of MgCl2 corresponding to 0.56 parts by weight of-NaCI and 0.03 parts by weight of MgCl2, relative to the Cl04 ion content.

Example 9 One kilogram of perlite with a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3 is placed in a vessel containing 20 liters of solution with the NaClO4 concentration of 700 g/l, mixed for 15 minutes and separated by filtering. The obtained composition contains 40 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the Cl04 ion.

Example 10 One kilogram of silica gel having -a particle size of 1 to 2 mm is placed in a vessel containing 6 liters of a Mg(ClO4)2 solution with a concentration of 734 g/1. held with mixing and separated by filtering. The obtained composition contains 49.4 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the Cl04 ion.

Example 11 One and a half liters of a Mg(CI04), solution with a concentration of 735 g/1 is sprayed over 1 kg of diatomite having a unit surface of 6.7 m2/g. The obtained-composition contains 30.5% by weight of perchlorate in terms of the ClO4- ion, Example 12 One and a half liters of solution containing 527 g/l of Mg(ClO4)2. 136 g/l of NaCI and 18 g/l of MgCl2 is sprayed over 1 kg of wood sawdust. The obtained composition contains 22.2% by weight of perchlorate in terms of the Cl04 ion. 6.4 % of NaCI, 0.85 of MgCl2, corresponding to 0.28 parts by weight of NaCl 0.038 parts by weight of MgCl, relative to the Cl04 ion content.

Example 13 One and a half liters of solution containing 200 g/l of Mg(ClO4)2, 150 g/l of NaCI and 20 g/1 of MgCl2 is sprayed over 1 kg of wood saw-dust spread in a layer 2 to 3 cm thick. The obtained composition contains 10.7 % by weight of perchlorate in terms of the C.104 ion, 9 % of NaCl, 1.2 % of MgC'I,. corresponding to 0.84 parts by weight of NaCI and 0.11 parts by weight of MgCl2 relative to the ClO4- ion content.

Example 14 One and a half kilograms of solution containing 540 g/l of Ca(C104), and 16 g/l of CaCl2 is sprayed over 1 kg of perlite having a bulk weight of 100 kg/m3. The obtained composition contains 22.7 % bv weight of perchlorate, in terms of the Clo-4 ion and 0.67 % by weight of CaCl2, corresponding to 0.029 parts by weight of CaCl2 relative to the content of the Cl04 ions.

The proposed compound ROSTOM was subjected to tests for explosion proofness. It was tested in mixture with glucose in a composition of 1:1. The concentration of the active substance in ROSTOM corresponded to the maximum capacity of the carrier in terms of the ClO4 ion. the amount of glucose being 5 times greater than its content in the control test for creating the most unfavourable conditions. The data obtained in the above tests are shown in Table 7.

As is seen from Table 7. the proposed composition has low sensitivity to shock. The composition containing magnesium or calcium perchlorate (ROSTOM M) is.almost completely explosion proof.

The composition containing ammonium perchlorate (ROSTOM A) displays different properties under the action of shock and friction depending on the nature of the carrier used. ROSTOM A obtained with silica gel is friction insensitive and almost insensitive to shock, while perlite used as the carrier considerably lowers ROSTOM's A sensitivity to shock and increases that to friction. Thus, the use of compositions containing as the active substancd perchlorates of alkaline-earth metals is preferable, as it ensures in all cases explosion and fire safety, while compositions containing additional NaCl and MgCl2 are safe for handling even with organic carriers.

TABLE 7 Comparative sensitivities of various preparations to mechanical effects Sensitivity No. Compound To shock To friction load,kg height, pet cent p shock per cent mm of explos- kg/cm2 of exploions sions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1. NH4ClO4 (pure) 5 250 84 3000 84 2. Mixture 50% ROSTOM A (carrier: silica gel)+ + 10 % glucose 5 250 56 3000 68 3. Mixture 10% NG4ClO4 + 80% NaCl + 50% glucose 10 250 4 4500 0 4. Mixture 50 % ROSTOM A (carrier: perlite) + + 50 % glucose 10 250 4 4500 100 5. Mixture 90 % Mg(ClO4)2 dehydr. + 10% glucose 10 250 100 - 6. Mixture 50 % ROSTOM M (carrier: silica gel) + + 50 % glucose 10 250 0 4500 0 7. Mixture 50 % ROSTOM M (carrier: perlite) + 50 % glucose 10 250 0 4500 0 8. Mixture 50 % ROSTOM M (carrier: diatomite) + 50 % glucose 10 250 0 4500 0 9. Mixture 50 % ROSTOM M (carrier: chopped hay) + 50 % glucosexx) 10 250 0 4500 0 NOTE: For each preparation average data are given in a 25 run test series xx)ROSTOM M contains NaCl, MgCl2

Claims (24)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A process for raising livestock for slaughter including feeding to the livestock as a supplement a composition comprising a perchlorate having the formula X(ClO4)n, where X is NH4, an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and-n is the number equal to the valence of X, 2nd a dispersed porous carrier which contains the perchlorate as active substance and which is inert relative to the perchlorate and harmless for internal use, to promote the growth and increase the weight of the livestock.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the composition contains from 5 to 50 weight per cent of the said perchlorate in terms of the ClO-4- ion.

3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the composition contains from 15 to 35 weight percent of the said perchlorate in terms of ClO-4 ion.

4. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the carrier is a mineral carrier.

5. A process according to claim 4, wherein the mineral carrier is perlite.

6. A process according to claim 4, wherein the mineral carrier is silica gel.

7. A process according to claim 4, wherein the mineral carrier is diatomite.

8. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the perchlorate is Mg(C104)2

9. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the perchlorate is Ca(C104)2.

10. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the composition includes a mixture of the salts Mg(ClO4)2 and Ca(ClO4)2.

11. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition additionally comprises sodium chloride.

12. A process according to claim 11, in which the supplement contains from 0.1 to 1 parts by weight of NaCI relative to the content of the Cl04 ion.

13. A process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the composition additionally comprises the chloride of an alkaline-earth metal.

14. A process according to claim 13, wherein the chloride consists of from 0.02 to 0.15 parts by weight of MgCl2 or CaCI2 relative to the content of the Cl04 ion.

15. A process according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the carrier is an organic carrier.

16. A process according to claim 15, wherein the organic carrier is wood sawdust.

17. A process according to claim 15, wherein the organic carrier is grass meal.

18. A method of producing a composition for use as a food supplement in raising livestock for slaughter, comprising treating a porous inert carrier harmless for internal use with an aqueous solution containing a perchlorate which has the formula X(ClO4)n, where X is an alkaline or alkaline earth-metal, or the ammonium NH4 ion, and n is the number equal to the valence of X, the concentration of the ClO4 ion being from 100 to 920 g/l, to provide a composition containing from 5 to 50 weight percent of the perchlorate in terms of the ClO-4 ion, and allowing ambient-air drying of the composition.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the carrier is treated by immersing it in an aqueous solution containing a perchlorate with subsequent separation of the carrier from the solution.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the carrier is treated by spraying over it a solution containing a perchlorate.

21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the treating solution contains an addition of chlorides of sodium and/or an alkaline-earth metal.

22. A method of producing a composition for use as a food supplement in raising livestock for slaughter, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the Examples.

23. Meat from livestock raised by the process claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17.

24. A composition for use as a food supplement in raising livestock for slaughter, whenever prepared by the method of any one of claims 18, 19 to 22.