Ochratoxin the fungal secondary metabolite is a potent natural contaminant of poultry feed. Mycotoxins present in poultry feeds from the raw material used in their production is the major cause of toxic feed. The intake of very low levels of Ochratoxin-A result in overt ochratoxicosis resulting in impairment of immune system and acquired resistance to infections causing health problems which lead to economic losses in the form of reduced productivity The research study was conducted to study the harmful effects of Ochratoxin on broiler chicks and the adsorptive potential of yeast sludge against Ochratoxin in broiler chicks .

Aspergillus ochraceus was grown on Sabraud's Dextrose Agar and ochratoxin was produced on fermented wheat grains .One fifty day old Chicks of broiler breed were purchased from Big birds hatchery and were raised on commercial broiler diet till 7 days.

Four diets A,B,C and D were formulated A diet serve as control, B diet contained OTA 500ppb, C diet contained OTA 500ppb and 1% Yeast sludge and D diet contained OTA 500ppb and 2% Yeast sludge. These four diets were assigned randomly to the chicks, such that there were three replicates on each ration and each replicate contained 10 chicks. Vaccination against N.D and IBD was performed according to the schedule. During feeding trial weight gain , feed consumed, FCR and mortality rate was determined.

Group B (500ppb OTA) showed a decrease in weight gain and feed consumption as compared to group A (control diet) , C (1% yeast sludge and 500ppb OTA) and D (2% yeast sludge and 500ppb ochratoxin). Group D showed more improvement in weight gain, feed consumption and FCR as compared to group C.

Blood serum and tissue samples were collected from the birds slaughtered at the end of experimental trial. Concentration of serum total protein, albumin and activity of alanine transaminase were determined. Blood Serum levels of total protein and albumin were lower in the group B (500ppb OTA) than group D having 2 % yeast sludge but the group C fed on 1% yeast sludge did not show much improvement in those parameters. Activity of ALT was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in group C as compared to all other groups. Whereas blood serum ALT activity of the birds fed on ration B was significantly high (P< 0.05) as compared to blood serum ALT of group A

The Level of Ochratoxin in Liver and Kidneys was also determined and it was found to be highest in Group B (500ppb OTA) and lowest in Group D (500ppb OTA + 2% yeast sludge).

Based upon the observations obtained in this study it can be concluded that ochratoxin-A is a nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic agent. But supplementation of 2% yeast sludge in the broiler diet can effectively detoxify the effects of ochratoxin as compared to supplementation of 1% yeast sludge in the chicks diet.