Seventy-eight Arber Acer chicks were experimented on. The birds were randomly divided into four groups to study the possibility and safety use of the decontaminated rations for chicks, and also its effect on the growth performance and the feed conversion efficiency of the four groups.
The chicks of the first group were fed on mycotoxin-free ration, while that of the second group were fed on a ration contaminated with myco toxins. the third and the fourth groups were fed the contaminated ration after being treated with acetic and ammonium hyroxide as detoxifying agents.
The weight gain, relative growth rate, and the feed conversion efficiency were considered as the criteria for comparison among the four groups.
The weight gain, relative growth rate, and feed conversion effi ciency were highly depressed with chick fed contaminated diet, while its treatment with acetic acid and ammonium hydroxide gradually and progressively improved these parameters. Ammonium hydroxide treatment proved to be a promising agent in this aspect.