Study on efficacy of diatomaceous earth on growth parameters in experimental ochratoxicosis in broiler chickens

Abstract

The ability of Diatomaceous earth (DAE) in reducing the toxic effects of ochratoxin (OTA) in broiler diet was evaluated. DAE was supplemented @ 400 and 800 mg kg-1 of feed along with 0.5 and 1 ppm of OTA/kg of feed. Healthy unsexed day-old broiler chicks (n=360) were assigned to 9 groups comprising of control and treatment groups. Feeding of OTA resulted in significantly lower feed intake as well as body weight gain and increase in the feed conversion ratio in comparison to the control groups. Supplementation of DAE to the OTA mixed feed could significantly ameliorate the adverse effect of ochratoxin on the growth and feed conversion in broilers. The study concluded that diatomaceous earth is an effective adsorbent to decrease the toxic adverse effects of ochratoxin in broiler chicken.