Effect of early stages of fungal development on the nutritional value of diets for broiler chicks

Abstract

During 65 d of storage a gradual increase in fungal activity (evaluated by CO2 production) was observed in a diet with its moisture content elevated to 136 g/kg. This activity was inhibited by supplementation of the wetted diets with either calcium propionate (3 g/kg) or Agrosil (2 g/kg). The fat content of the wetted untreated diet decreased between the 18th and the 45th d of storage from 38 to 29 g/kg. This change was prevented by the addition of either of the two fungistats. The weight gains of 7-d-old female broiler chicks fed on the wetted diets with or without the fungistats from the 18th d after their preparation for 27 d, did not differ significantly (P greater than 0.05) from those of birds fed on the unwetted diet. However, the food:gain ratio of chicks fed on the unwetted diet was significantly (P less than 0.05) better than that of chicks fed on the fungistat-free wetted diet. The results from birds fed on the fungistat-supplemented wetted diets were intermediate. It is concluded that the early stages of fungal activity (characterised by increased CO2 production, without changes or with only a slight decrease in fat content) have only a minor effect on the nutritional value of diets.

Efficacy of Gamma Irradiation in Preventing Moldiness and Preserving the Nutritional Value of Corn Grain for Broiler Chicks

“…The data of the feeding trials indicate clearly that incorporation of moldy com in diets does not necessarily depress the performance of chicks fed on these diets (Tables 3 and 6). This agrees with the previous findings of Bartov and Paster (1986).…”