author(s)
Imran Ali, SK Panda, S Pati, SK Mishra, GP Mohanty, GR Jena, AP Acharya, PR Sahoo, L Mohanty, N Mishra, D Kumar and A Sarkar

abstract
The present study attempts to analyze growth assessment and hemato-biochemical alterations after experimental induction of aflatoxin B₁ in white pekin ducks at neonatal stages through feed upto 8 weeks of age at different dose rate, 6, 12, 24 & 48 ppb. The experiment was carried out for 8 weeks in 120 number of day old white pekin ducklings, dividing randomly into 5 groups with four treatment groups and one control group comprising twenty four birds in each group with 3 replicates. Mean body weight of ducks of all the groups showed no significant variation from 3^rd week to 8^th week. However, the mean body weight of the ducks decreased numerically as compared to control group of ducks gradually as the dose of toxin in the feed increased. The values of F.C.R varied from 1.09 to 3.30 during the experimental period. F.C.R of ducks was observed to increase numerically as the level of aflatoxin B₁ increased in feed especially in groups fed with 24ppb and 48ppb. Hematological values of hemoglobin, PCV and TLC significantly decreased in Groups fed with 12ppb, 24ppb & 48ppb with significantly lowest in 48 ppb. Values of MCV, MCHC and MCH reduced significantly in all the treatment groups than control without any significant difference between the groups. Enzymes related to liver function like ALT, AST & GGT & kidney function like BUN, Creatinine showing rising trend in higher level of aflatoxin with decreased serum protein indicating liver & kidney dysfunction mostly. Toxic level at 48 ppb of Aflatoxin B_I in white Pekin duck is confirmed by this study.