A completely random design consisting of three replicates of 25 broiler chickens (Hubbard x Hubbard) at each of four treatments was used to evaluate the effects of low level, chronic aflatoxicosis on performance and various processing parameters. The treatments in Trial 1 were control, .075, .225, and .675 and in Trial 2 control, .3, .9, and 2.7 micrograms/g toxin in feed (ppm). The chickens were maintained on these treatments from day-old to 7 weeks of age with feed and water available ad libitum. All aflatoxin dose levels in Trial 1 significantly (P less than .05) decreased live, dressed, and chilled eviscerated weight, whereas only 2.7 ppm significantly (P less than .05) decreased live and dressed weight in Trial 2, with chilled eviscerated weight being significantly (P less than .05) decreased at .3 and 2.7 ppm in Trial 2. Parts weights and dimension measurements reflected the aflatoxin-induced decrease in dressed weight. Breast yield (%) was significantly (P less than .05) decreased by aflatoxin while back, wing, drum, and thigh yields were significantly increased by aflatoxin. No effect of aflatoxin was seen on the incidence of crooked keel, feather follicle infection, breast blisters, or conformation. A hypocarotenoidemia and hepatic hyperlipemia were clearly a result of chronic aflatoxicosis in these broiler chickens. These data demonstrate that the toxicity of aflatoxin is dependent on the environment in which broiler chickens are exposed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Two experiments were conducted using 300 broilers each. Standard broiler diets were supplemented by adding to the drinking water either sodium fluoride or sodium meta-silicate. Sodium fluoride provided 120 ppm Na and 100 ppm F and 120 ppm Na and 74 ppm Si were provided by the sodium silicate. Control groups received tap water. All groups received a standard corn-soybean meal diet and drinking water ad libitum. All broilers were reared in floor pens, and hardwood shavings were used for bedding. Live weights and feed conversion were determined every 2 weeks. Growth rates, feed conversions, and mortality were not affected by the sodium salts in either experiment. Litter conditions in the pens were closely observed, and no differences were found resulting from the addition of either sodium salt to the drinking water. A significant decrease in humeri strength was observed when one wing of broilers in the control and sodium fluoride treated groups was immobilized with tape during the last 2 weeks of each experiment. This loss of strength was not significant in the sodium silicate group. In both experiments, breaking strength and ash content of humeri and tibiae were significantly increased in birds fed the sodium fluoride when compared to the control group. The sodium silicate group yielded intermediate results.
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