Effect of excess fluoride exposure on growth rate and hemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chicks

In the present study, 30 broiler chicks were randomly divided into two equal groups (Gr I and Gr II). Gr I chicks received drinking water (fluoride conc 0.9 ppm) and standard broiler starter (up to 3 weeks of age) and finisher ration (mean fluoride concentration 4.7 and 4.5 ppm, respectively) to serve as negative control, while Gr II received water containing 400 ppm fluoride and feed similar to Gr I. Body weight was measured and blood samples were collected on day 0, 20 and 40 of the experiment. On day 20, the mean body weight of Gr II chicks was 4.32% lower, while on day 40, it was 7.49% lower in comparison to Gr I. Hemoglobin concentrations in Gr II on day 20 and 40 were significantly (p