Evaluation of four proprietary toxin-binders in groundnut cake based broiler finishers’ diet

Abstract

The relative efficacy of four proprietary toxin-binders and charcoal in groundnut cake based diets was investigated for broiler finishers’. Two hundred and seventy, 1- day Marshal Broiler chicks were all initially fed the same starter basal diet for 3 weeks. The birds were allotted to six groups of 45 birds and each treatment was in triplicate comprising of 15 birds per replicate. Six different finishers’ diets were formulated. Diet A (control) had no toxin binder while diets B, C, D, E and F had Charcoal, Toxiroak, Toxynil, MycofixR Eco and A-Tox incorporated respectively at 0.3%. At day-22, birds were allotted randomly to their respective experimental diets and were offered water ad libitum till day 42. Variations in average body weight gain of birds, feed and water consumption were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary treatments. The feed conversion ratio values were 3.30, 2.96, 3.14, 3.08, 2.62 and 3.15 for birds on diets A, B, C, D, E and F respectively which was higher (p<0.05) for birds on basal (control) diet and lower for those on MycofixR Eco. The primal cuts (i.e. Drumsticks, Thighs, Breasts) and abdominal fats as percentages of the live weights compared to control were significantly (p<0.05) harnessed by the inclusion of toxin-binders. Effects of treatment on the values of red blood cell for birds on treatments B, C, D, E and F were similar (p>0.05). Heart weight was significantly (p<0.05) lower for birds on diet D (Toxynil). Commercial feeds toxin-binders used had variable potency and strength in detoxification as depicted by their differential effects on performance indices, carcass characteristics and blood profile

Keywords: Broiler Performance, Proprietary toxin-binders, Carcass characteristics, Organ weights, Serum liver enzymes.