author(s)
Thanabal C, Ramamurthy N, Richard Churchil R, Tensingh Gnanaraj P and Manju G Preedaa

abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of aflatoxin and protective role of Phyllanthus niruri herb against the effect of aflatoxin on production performances (Viz. Body weight, Body weight gain, Feed intake, Feed efficiency and Livability) of Guinea fowls. A total of 270 day old keets were divided into six groups (45 chicks each) as following: The T1 Control (without Aflatoxin), T2 (diet with 1 PPM aflatoxin B1), T3 (diet with 2 PPM aflatoxin B1), T4 (diet with 1% herb powder alone), T5 (1 PPM aflatoxin B1 and 1% herb powder) and T6 (2 PPM aflatoxin B1 and 1% herb powder). The results revealed that the inclusion of Aflatoxin B1 (2 ppm) level adversely affected the bodyweight, weight gain and feed efficiency at fortnight during experimental period. Inclusion of 1 ppm aflatoxin B1 in diet does not influence the production parameters. Supplementation of 1 percent Phyllanthus niruri herb powder to control diet caused significant depression in the weekly body weight, Weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency. Inclusion of 1 percent Phyllanthus niruri herb powder in the aflatoxin B1 (2 ppm) supplemented diet significantly counteracted the toxin effects of aflatoxin B1 on final body weight, weight gain and feed efficiency at 12^th week of age. In conclusion, Guinea fowl production performance was not affected up to 1 ppm level aflatoxin B1 contamination in diet and the negative effects of aflatoxin B1 at 2 ppm level in production performance of Guinea fowls was improved by supplementation of 1 percent Phyllanthus niruri herbal powder on diet.