Gene expression in the stretched chicken patagialis (Pat) muscle has not been extensively examined. This study's purpose was to determine the Pat muscle's expression pattern of serum response factor (SRF), skeletal alpha-actin, and MyoD mRNAs after 3 days (onset of stretch), 6 days (end of first week of rapid growth), and 14 days (slowed rate of stretch-induced growth) of stretch. SRF mRNA demonstrated two species (B1 and B2), with B2 being more prevalent in the predominantly fast-twitch Pat muscle, compared with the slow-tonic muscle. Stretch overload increased B1 and B2 SRF mRNA concentrations, and the increase in B1 SRF mRNA concentration was greater at day 6 compared with days 3 or 14. MyoD mRNA concentration was greater in 3-day-stretched Pat muscles, compared with days 6 or 14. Skeletal alpha-actin mRNA concentration was not changed during the study. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrated that SRF binding with serum response element 1 of the skeletal alpha-actin promoter had no altered binding patterns from 6-day-stretched Pat nuclear extracts. It appears that SRF and MyoD mRNAs are induced in the stretch-overloaded Pat muscle but at different time points.