Additive toxicity of aflatoxin and dietary tannins in broiler chicks

In two experiments graded levels of either aflatoxin and tannic acid (experiment 1) or aflatoxin and a high-tannin variety of grain sorghum (BR-64) (experiment 2) were incorporated into broiler chick starting diets in a factorial design. When present singly, aflatoxin and both tannic acid and high tannin sorghum significantly depressed chick growth. When present in combination, and deleterious effects of aflatoxin and either tannic acid or high tannin sorghum on chick growth and feed conversion ratios were found to be additive.