Effect of feeding garlic (Allium sativum) on carcass characteristics and nutrient utilization in broilers in induced aflatoxicosis

The effect of dietary supplementation of garlic at 0.25,0.50 and 0.75% of feed on induced aflatoxicosis were studied using aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁ @ 300 ppb in broilers. Day-old-Anak-2000 broiler chicks (120) randomly distributed in to 6 equal groups (2 replicates of 10 chick each) were offered either a conventional control ration T₀ or T₀ containing aflatoxin B₁ @ 300 ppb alone (Ta) or along with garlic at 0.25% (T_aG₁), 0.5% (T_aG₂), 0.75% (T_aG₃) or 0.5% (T₀G₂). A decrease (P<0.05) in dressing yield, ready-to-cook yield and retention of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus as well as lower digestibility of DM CP and EE were noticed, while highest (P<0.05) giblet yield was recorded in the aflatoxin fed group (Ta). However, dietary supplementation of garlic at graded levels showed counteraction effect in a dose dependent manner, showing better result with 0.5% garlic against the aflatoxicosis.