Effects of Low Level Chronic Aflatoxicosis in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A completely random design consisting of three replicates of 25 broiler chickens (Hubbard × 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 μg/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<.05) decreased live, dressed, and chilled eviscerated weight, whereas only 2.7 ppm significantly (P<.05) decreased live and dressed weight in Trial 2, with chilled eviscerated weight being significantly (P<.05) decreased at .3 and 2.7 ppm in Trial 2. Parts weights and dimension measurements reflected the aflatoxininduced decrease in dressed weight. Breast yield (%) was significantly (P<.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. Aflatoxin tends to decrease parts yield with a high meat to bone ratio and increase parts yield of parts with a low meat to bone ratio. In general, reduced growth, poor pigmentation, and fatty livers can result from chronic low level aflatoxicosis.