Probiotics, toxin binders and plant extracts improve health and immunity of broiler chickens exposed to aflatoxin. The effects of licorice extract (LE), Protexin probiotic, toxin binder (Agrabound) and poultry litter biochar (PLB) in experimental aflatoxicosis were evaluated. In a completely randomized design, 504 broiler chickens were allotted to 7 treatments and 6 replicates with 12 broiler chickens in each. The experimental groups were as follows: T1) Basal diet (B) without any feed additive or aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)); T2) B + 0.5 mg AFB1/kg; T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7) T2 plus 3 g LE/kg; 6 g LE/kg; 0.5 g Protexin/kg; 1 g toxin binder /kg and 5 g/kg PLB, respectively. Broiler chickens fed AFB diet (T2) had lower body weight gain at the end of grower and higher FCR at the end of the finisher period while inclusion of LE, probiotic, toxin binder or PLB restore body weight of broiler chickens to that of control group. Aflatoxicosis decreased total protein, TG, albumin, Ca and P concentrations and greater uric acid concentration in broiler chickens as compared to control group (P < 0.05). As compared to T2 group, inclusion of 3 mg LE/kg increased serum total protein; inclusion of 3 mg LE/kg, probiotic and toxin binder increased TG; inclusion of 3 and 6 mg LE/kg, probiotic and PLB increased serum albumin, and the whole additive decreased serum uric acid of broiler chickens comparing to control group. Lymphocyte percentage, avian influenza antibody titer, thymus relative weight and immune response to phytohemagglutinin were decreased in T2 group whereas heterophil percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio were increased (P < 0.05). Aflatoxicosis increased breast meat MDA concentration, liver enzymes activities and number of fat vacuoles (P < 0.05). As compared to T2 group, all of the additives lowered alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase activities, breast meat MDA concentration, and liver pathological damages (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that all of the additives are capable to decrease AFB1 negative impact on broiler chicken’s performance, blood indices and immunity.
