Effect of Feeding Different levels of Aflatoxin in the Diets on Production Performance of Broiler Breeders

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding diets containing different levels of aflatoxin B1 (AF) viz., 0, 300, 400 and 500ppb on the performance of broiler breeders. The breeder hens aged 28 weeks were fed with four treatment diets: Control (0ppm), (300 ppb), (400 ppb) and (500 ppb) for three periods, each with a duration of three weeks from 28 to 36 weeks of age. Feeding of AFB1 at 300 and 400ppb did not reveal any significant changes in the performance. However, Inclusion of 500ppb AF in the diet significantly (P≤0.05) reduced feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg production, fertility and hatchability. The results indicated no significant (P≥0.05) effect of AF on body weight of breeders.