Toxicity Resulting from Feeding Experimentally Molded Corn to Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Seven feeding trials were conducted to determine the effect of diets incorporating experimentally molded corn on chick performance. Treatments included varying levels (0, 6, 12 and 56% of the diet) of corn replacement in the diet by corn molded separately with two isolates of Fusarium moniliforme (ATCC 24088 and ATCC 24089), F. roseum f. cerealis (ATCC 24090), Aspergillus niger (ATCC 24126) and A. flavus (ATCC 24125) for varying periods (2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks). Chicks fed experimental diets showed a significant reduction in weight gain and feed efficiency when molded corn that had been incubated for 4, 6 and 8 weeks was fed. Percent dry matter digestibility was reduced by chicks fed the molded corn diets. Treated chicks exhibited (as early as 12 days of age) a severe leg deformity characterized by a bowing outward or a slanting inward of the legs giving the chicks either a “cowboy” or a knock-kneed” appearance. No consistent difference in tibia ash was observed between treated and control chicks. Treated chicks had caeca distended with brown material, mild enteritis and lesions of the sciatic nerves.