Effect of toxin binders on the induced aflatoxicosis in broilers

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of toxin binders on induced aflatoxicosis in broilers. Day old commercial broiler chicks (300) distributed at random into six equal groups (5 raplicates of 10 chicks each) were offered either reference diet (R), reference diet contaminated with aflatoxin @ lppm (afl), afl diet supplemented with activated charcoal (AC) or teramycin 100 @ lg/kg (TM) or commerical toxin binder-I (TB₁) or II (TB₂) @ 2g/kg from 2 to 28 days of age. Body weight gain and feed consumption of broilers were reduced (P<0.01) in aflatoxin fed group, while the birds that received TM₁₀₀ and TB₂ recorded an apparent improvement. Feed conversion ratio was not affected. The weight of liver, kidney, heart, gizzard and spleen in groups that received aflatoxin were increased (P<0.05), while weight of bursa decreased (P<0.05). Addition of TM₁₀₀ and TB₂ to the aflatoxin diets countered toxic effects of aflatoxins on growth performance of broilers and improved HI titres against Newcastle disease vaccine. Activated charcoal was moderately effective, whereas toxin binder-I was least effective.