previously fed up to 2Va (wtlwt) of a wheat-ergot (0.3l7o total alkaloids) contaminated diet, demonstrated a significant (P<0.0001) ability to recover from the effects of the ergot when given an ergot-free diet as indicated by improved performance (increased relative feed consumption and weight gain and decreased feed to gain ratio) (exp. I). In the second experiment, ergot was pretfeated with chlorine gas for 15, 30 or 60 min or heated at 200"c for 10, 15, 20 or 30 min in an attempt io reduce the toxic effect of the ground ergot sclerotia. When the treated ergot samples were fed to 7-day-old male Leghorn chicks at a dietary concentration of 4o/o (wtlwt), the chlorine gas treatments for 30 and 60 min and heat treatment for 30 min reduced the effects of ergot on chick performance to values equivalent to those obtained for a diet that contained 2Vo untrealed ergot (wt/wt). Less, but still significant (P<0.05) decreases were also observed with the other treatments. The third study tested a commercial mycotoxin antitoxicant, Antitox Vana (polyvinyl polypyrrolidone), which was added to the diet at concentrations of0,0'1,0 2 and b.87o 1*Vrt; in combination with ergot at concentrations of 0, 1,2 and 4Vo (wtl wt). At the concentrations tested, Antitox Vana was not able to counteract the appetite and growth depressing effects of ergot (P>0.51). These results demonstrate ihat although the use of Antitox Vana may be ineffective against ergot, chlorine gas or heai treatment of ground ergot can, under proper conditions, effectively ieduce the toxic effect of ergot. Such treatments could be used to counter the effect of ergot in contaminated grain when fed to growing chicks.