Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on haematological parameters, serum biochemical indices and haemagglutination potential of broiler birds raised on deep litters

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) was included in broiler chickens’ diets at graded levels of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% to make 5 treatments to assess haematology, serum biochemistry and haemagglutination potential in broiler chickens fed the experimental diets. The diets were formulated to be iso-caloric and isonitrogenous. Two hundred (200) day-old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allotted to the treatments in a completely randomized design having 10 birds and four replications per treatment. Water and feed were given ad libitum. Blood samples were collected from the animals through the wing vein for haematology, serum biochemistry and haemagglutination potential. The results showed that packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, monophils and eosinophils were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the different inclusion levels of MOLM. Highest mean of PCV and RBC was recorded at 15% level of inclusion (28.63±1.19% and 3.66±0.16% respectively). The serum proteins examined were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments except cholesterol which was significantly (p<0.05) affected by different levels of inclusion. It was concluded that inclusion of Moringa oleifera up to 20% in the diet of broiler chickens can be adopted to replace soybean meal without any adverse effect on blood indices.