The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative ability of locally available bentonite clay (BN) against aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) toxicity in broiler chicks. In the first experiment the broiler chicks were kept on feeds contaminated with AFB1 (0.1, 0.2 and 0.6 mg/kg) alone and in combination with bentonite clay (3.7 and 7.5 g/kg). In the second experiment OTA (0.15, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) alone and concurrently with bentonite clay (3.7, 7.5 and 15 g/kg) was fed to the broiler chicks. The dietary addition of AFB1 and OTA alone exerted deleterious effects on the performance, sero-biochemical and oxidative status of the broiler chicks. A concurrent dietary incorporation of BN (3.7 and 7.5 g/kg) ameliorated the adverse effects of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg AFB1 on body weight, FCR, serum ALT and urea concentration. Serum creatinine, total protein and albumin concentrations were mostly significantly lower in combination groups suggesting a partial or no amelioration. Dietary incorporation of BN at all levels only partially alleviated the deleterious effects of 0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg dietary OTA on performance, serobiochemical and oxidative stress, but amelioration was absent when the concentration of OTA in the feed was 1 mg/kg. Results suggested that the dietary incorporation of BN (3.7 and 7.5 g/kg) ameliorated the adverse effects of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg of AFB1 on various parameters. However, BN at all levels did not alleviate the deleterious effects of OTA.

Key words: Aflatoxin B1, Bentonite Clay, Broiler birds, Ochratoxin A