Investigations on Production Traits of Mulards with Experimentally Induced Aflatoxicosis

In this study the toxic effects of aflatoxin В1 (AFB1) on production traits (live body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion) and relative weights (g/100 g body weight) of visceral organs (liver, kidneys, thymus, spleen, Bursa of Fabricius, heart, gizzard and proventriculus) in mulard ducklings were investigated. The experiment was carried out with four groups of 30 10-day-old ducklings each, over 42 days. The groups were as followed: group І – control, which received standard feed according to the species and age, group ІІ – experimental, which received compound feed with 0.5 mg/kg AFB1, group ІІI – receiving compound feed supplemented with 0.8 mg/kg AFB1 and group IV – compound feed supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 and 2 g/kg Mycotox NG. In experimental groups II and III, the body weight, weight gain, feed intake were lower, feed conversion ratio was higher as well as the relative weights of liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, gizzard and proventriculus. At the same time, the relative weight of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius and the spleen were considerably reduced. The supplementation of feed of group IV with Mycotox NG protected birds from the negative effects of AFB1 on production traits and prevented changes in the weights of visceral organs.