This work had the goal to study the exposure effect of broiler chickens to aflatoxins during a period of 42 days related to its development in size and feathers. Two experimental groups of male chicks were treated with ad libitum food, one group without aflatoxins (control group) and other using contaminated food with 3mg/kg of aflatoxins (treated group). Birds were evaluated twice a day to observe its performance and consumption of food. The weights were measured at the end of each breeding phase (21, 35 and 42 days). At the end of the experiment animal size, weight, amount of feathers, organs and amino acids profile in blood were analyzed and compared between the two groups. The treated group showed classical signs of intoxication with aflatoxins such as less uniformity, less feed consumption and body weight gain. Also some macroscopic and microscopic organs and tissue changes were observed. Evaluation of heart and liver of the treated group showed an increase in their average relative weight. Feather mass in this group was significantly reduced (33.8%), but its amino acids concentration was not affected despite the low performance of the intoxicated animals.
aflatoxins; broiler chickens; amino acids and feathers
