Effects of different commercially available antifungal compounds on feed quality and broiler performance

Six experimental rations i.e. A, B, C, D, E and F were prepared. Ration A was positive control, Ration B (containing 0.5 kg Mycostat/ton), ration C (containing 0.5 kg Mycocurb/ton), ration D (containing 15% moisture without any antifungal compounds), ration E (containing 1.0 kg Mycostat/ton with 15% moisture) and ration F (containing 1.0 kg Mycocurb/ton with 15% moisture). Rations were stored for one month. During storage period the representative feed samples were collected from all the rations and were analyzed for mould growth and aflatoxins level. A total of 240 day-old-broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 groups having 40 birds in each group and which were further subdivided into 4 replicates comprising of 10 birds in each. The body weights, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were recorded at the end of each two-weeks. Mortality percentage and comparative economic study of antifungal compounds were determined at the end of experiment. The experiment was completed in six weeks. The results of feed consumption indicated that birds fed on different experimental rations A, B, C, D, E and F from 0-6 weeks of age were 3173, 3230, 3215, 2310, 1972 and 2243 gms respectively. However, apparently the birds fed on ration B containing Mycostat consumed more feed as compared to other groups. The weight gain of the birds fed on various experimental rations A, B, C, D, E and F from 0-6 weeks of age were 1710, 1770, 1760, 965, 845 and 980 gms respectively. However, apparently more weight gain was observed in the birds fed on ration B containing Mycostat. The data on feed efficiency indicated that birds fed on different experimental rations A, B, C, D, E and F from 0-6 weeks of age were 1.855, 1.82, 1.83, 2.392, 2.34 and 2.283, respectively. However, better-feed utilization was observed in birds fed on ration B containing Mycostat as compared to chicks fed on other rations. The feed mould count values for grou p s D, E and F were 4.0 10E4, 1.1 10E4 and 1.0 10E4 respectively, and the Aflatoxins levels for groups D, E and F were (G1 less than 0.1, G2 less than 0.1, B1 33.5 B-2-2.4), (G1 less than 0.1, G2 less than 0.1, B1- 26.5, B2-1.9) and (G1 less than 0.1, G2 less than 0.1, B1-35.5, B2-2.5) respectively. It is concluded that Mycostat is comparatively better antifungal compound commercially available as compared to Mycocurb in terms of improving the performance of the broiler birds.