Evaluation of blood parameters of broiler chickens fed diet supplemented with embaceryl and chaya leaf (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius)

Abstract

Haematological and serum indices of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Embaceryl (EMB) and chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf powder (CLP) at the finisher phase were evaluated in this study using one hundred and twenty (120) chickens. Twenty four (24) chickens were assigned each to five (5) experimental treatments at varying levels of chaya leaf and embaceryl viz: 0g/kg, 2.5g/kg embaceryl, 2.5g/ kg CLP, 5.0g/kg CLP and 7.5g/kg CLP in a complete randomized design. The birds were replicated 3times and the experiment lasted for 56 days. Data generated from this study was subjected to one way analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan multiple range test. The PCV (%) and Hb (g/ dl) values varies significantly (p < 0.05 ) from 25.00% to 30.00 % and 08.50g/dl to 10.00g/dl respectively with birds fed basal diet with 5.0g/kg chaya leaf powder recording the highest values. The RBC and WBC were significantly influenced by the treatments, the RBC increased with increased level of phytobiotics, while WBC reduced as the levels of phytobiotics increased. Broilers fed diet supplemented with 5.0g/kg chaya leaf recorded the higher values for total protein (66.50g/dl-55.25g/dl) and albumin (39.95g/dl-34.95g/dl) respectively. However, the cholesterol level decreased with increased level of chaya leaf powder (206.50mg/ dl-152.85g/dl). The results of this study suggest that broiler chickens can be fed with diet supplemented with chaya leaf powder without any detrimental effects on haematological and serum biochemical indices.

Keywords: Chaya leaf powder, embaceryl, blood, broilers