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Litter-Aid, a product consisting primarily of ferrous sulfate but also containing propionic acid and magnesium and copper sulfate was incorporated into litter at three application rates (0, .73, and 1.46 kg/m2) to determine its effects on broiler chicken performance and various aspects of litter quality. In Trial 1, litter treatments were applied to litter used for two previous flocks with a 10-week layout period. In Trial 1, there were 10 replicate pens of 175 birds per treatment. In Trial 2, litter used in Trial 1 was retreated, after a 26-week layout period, at the same application rates as Trial 1 with five replicate pens of 175 birds per treatment. This product in Trial 1 at .73 kg/m2 and in Trial 2 at 1.46 kg/m2 significantly (P less than .05) increased body weight without affecting feed conversion or mortality. The product did not significantly (P less than .05) affect litter moisture or litter nitrogen levels, but significantly (P less than .05) decreased litter pH. However, even at the application rate of 1.46 kg/m2, litter pH values rose above 8 as the birds reached 7 weeks of age. This product had no effect on bacteria counts and significantly (P less than .05) increased mold counts. These data indicate that Litter-Aid can be used without detrimental effects on broiler performance or litter quality.

The effect of floor types on the incidence of feather follicle infection and breast blisters in caged broilers was investigated in two trials. Broilers were reared on corn-soybean meal diets with warm-room brooding. Floor types included litter (control), wire, wire covered with various types of plastic mats, and wire woven with surgical tubing. In trial 1, the effect of a coccidiostat (monensin, 120 mg/kg of feed) was investigated for broilers not on litter, and in trial 2, the effect of supplemental zinc was investigated. Broilers were processed in the laboratory processing plant when they were 51 (trial 1) and 53 days old (trial 2). Carcasses were evaluated for the occurrence of fleshing downgrades, crooked keels, feather follicle infection, and breast blisters. Incidence of feather follicle infection was low for broilers on litter or wire floor and high for broilers reared on plastic mats. Breast blister incidence was low for broilers on litter and plastic mats and was high for broilers on the wire floor. Overall carcass quality for litter (control) was superior to any of the cage treatments. Neither the coccidiostat nor supplemental zinc affected the incidence of breast blisters or feather follicle infection.

A completely random design consisting of three replicates of 25 broiler chickens (Hubbard x 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 micrograms/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 less than .05) decreased live, dressed, and chilled eviscerated weight, whereas only 2.7 ppm significantly (P less than .05) decreased live and dressed weight in Trial 2, with chilled eviscerated weight being significantly (P less than .05) decreased at .3 and 2.7 ppm in Trial 2. Parts weights and dimension measurements reflected the aflatoxin-induced decrease in dressed weight. Breast yield (%) was significantly (P less than .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.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Male broilers (Hubbard X Hubbard) were placed at hatching into a completely randomized 2 X 2 X 2 factorial experimental design with the treatments consisting of 0 and 2.5 micrograms aflatoxin/g of feed (ppm) and 0 and 2.0 ppm ochratoxin A. In Trial 1, there were four replicate pens of 10 broilers per replicate at each treatment level. At 3 weeks of age two replicate pens were randomly selected and placed on control feed (0 to 3 weeks), the remaining two replicate pens were maintained on treatment (full-term). In Trial 2, there were three replicates of 38 broilers per replicate at each treatment level. At 3 weeks of age 13 broilers from each replicate pen were randomly selected and placed in separate housing and fed control diets (0 to 3 weeks). The remaining 25 broilers were kept on mycytoxin treatments until the conclusion of this trial (full-term). Data collected in these trials indicate that body weights of broilers were significantly (P less than .05) decreased by aflatoxin, ochratoxin A, and the combination treatments of the full term feeding regimen. Broilers partially recovered body weight in the 0 to 3-week feeding regimen; however, recovery was less rapid during ochratoxicosis compared to aflatoxicosis. Body weights of broilers in the combination treatment remained significantly (P less than .05) depressed throughout the trials. As body weight decreased, parts weights decreased accordingly. Carcass yield was significantly (P less than .05) decreased by all treatments, primarily by a decrease in breast yield.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)