A study was conducted to evaluate four different cholecalciferol levels (NRC; modified), using diets supplemented with 200 (control), 1500, 2500 or 3500 IU/kg of cholecalciferol (VIT-D3). Each treatment was assigned to 3 pens of 17 broiler chicks of a commercial strain grown in an open-sided house with sidewall curtains. At 21 and 42 days, BW and feed conversion (FCR) were determined. At 42 days, five birds per pen were slaughtered to evaluate tibia and toe ash of the right leg, and incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) of the left tibia and also measured dressing percentage and breast meat yield. Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations were also determined. Haemagglutination inhibition antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus and lymphoid organs weight/body weight ratio were also determined. At both 21 and 42 days, the BW of birds fed 1500 IU/kg to 3500 IU/kg of VIT-D3 was significantly greater than birds fed 200 IU/kg. Similarly, better FCR was observed in birds those fed diets of high level of VIT-D3. No significant difference was observed for mortality at any age. Better dressing percentage and breast meat yield were noted in birds fed diets containing 2500 or 3500 IU/kg VIT-D3. Both tibia and toe ash contents were increased (p < 0.05) progressively with increased concentrations of cholecalciferol in feed. The incidence of TD (percentage of birds having TD scores greater than zero) was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by level of 3500 IU VIT-D3/kg at 42 days. The severity of TD in birds fed diets containing 200 IU/kg VIT-D3 was apparently higher than birds fed diets with higher levels of VIT-D3. Concentrations of calcium and phosphorus minerals in the serum increased progressively with the high level of VIT-D3 supplementation to birds at both 21 and 42 days of age. Feeding levels of 1500 or 3500 IU of vitamin D3 did positively affect the immune system within the parameters measured. It may be concluded that performance, bone mineralization, blood chemistry and immunity against disease in broilers could be maintained when supplementing high level of VIT-D3 incorporated in broiler diets.

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A study was conducted to evaluate three different probiotic levels, using drinking water supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2 or 3 ml/L of Protexin (probiotic). In a 2 )4 factorial design, 360 of each reciprocal crossbred (Rhode Island Red [RIR] )Fayoumi [FY]) cockerels (six weeks old) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Each diet was offered to three pens of 30 RIR )FY cockerels each or three pens of 30 FY )RIR cockerels each. At 12 weeks of age, body weight (BW) and feed conversion were determined. At the end of 42 d of experiment, 12 birds per treatment were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics, abdominal fat contents and the internal organs. Blood haemato-biochemical parameters were also determined. Haemagglutination inhibtion antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus and lymphoid organs weight/body weight ratio were also determined. The BW and better feed conversion of birds given 3 ml/L of probiotic in drinking water was significantly greater than birds given water without probiotic. The cockerels of FY male )RIR female had higher growth rate than the cockerels of RIR male )FY female in all groups. There was no mortality recorded at higher levels of probiotic in both strains. Differences in carcass characteristics, organs weight, meat composition, haematological values and high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein concentrations among all the groups were nonsignificant. However, abdominal fat and cholesterol contents were reduced significantly in supplemented groups. Feeding levels of 2Á3 ml/L of probiotic, did positively affect the immune system within the parameters measured. It may be concluded that performance, blood chemistry and immunity against disease in cockerels could be maintained when supplementing high level of probiotic incorporated in crossbred cockerel's drinking water.

A world trade in agricultural commodities has contributed significantly to the discussion about potential hazards involved and has increased in particular the awareness of mycotoxins. Safety awareness in food and feed production has also risen due to the simple fact that methods for testing residues and undesirable substances have become noticeably more sophisticated and more reliable at all points of the supply chain. A 3-year survey program was initiated as decided in the 66 th meeting of the Animal Feeds Sectional Committee held at Standards Development Centre, Karachi, Pakistan in order to evaluate the incidence of aflatoxin B1 in poultry feed and feed raw materials in some of the major poultry production areas. A total of 1021 analyses were performed on 639, 92, 77, 86 and 127 samples sourced from North, South, West, East and Central areas, respectively. Overall 61percent of all aflatoxin B1 tests conducted on samples received from all selected survey areas tested positive. The percentages of positive evidenced in North, South, West, East and Central areas were 63, 49, 56, 53 and 69, respectively. Mean levels of aflatoxin B1 in feed ingredients and finished feeds (except layer grower, broiler starter, broiler finisher in mash forms and layer feed in crumb forms) were noted to be higher than safe limit of 20 µg/kg. This is the first comprehensive report on the determination of aflatoxin B1 in poultry feed raw material and finished feed from Punjab, Pakistan.

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