Hematological and serum biochemical evaluation of broilers fed fermented cassava flour meal diets

Abstract

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the hematological and serum biochemical effect of feeding cassava flour meal (CFM) to Ross broiler chickens. The diets containing CFM at 0.0 (control), 20.0 and 40.0 % were designated T ₁, T ₂ and T ₃ and were fed ad-libitum. The results show that broilers fed 40.0 % CFM consumed significantly (p<0.05) more hydrocyanic acid (225.31 mg/100g) than those fed 20.0% (124.23 mg/100g) and 0.0% CFM (0.0 mg/100g) HCN per week at the finisher phase. The 40.0% CFM diet had a depressing effect on body weight changes. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) activities were higher at the finisher phase but not at the starter phase in 40.0% CFM fed birds, while serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) activities were significantly high (p<0.05) at both the starter and finisher phases. Total protein, erythrocytes (RBC), leucocytes (WBC) counts and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in birds fed 40.0% CFM diets at the finisher phase. Other hematological parameters measured did not show significant (p>0.05) differences. These results are due to consumption of high levels of HCN (225.31 mg/100g) per week from 40.0% CFM diet. This level might have caused improper digestion of the ingredients in the diet. Broilers should be fed 0.0% HCN diets or diets containing not more than 125 mg/100g HCN per week for optimal performance.

Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(2) 2006: 118-123