Erythrocyte indices and serum biochemical constituents of broiler chicken fed maggot meal diets

Abstract

One hundred and twenty (120) four weeks old Ross breed broiler finisher birds were used to study the effect of feeding maggot meal as a replacement for fish meal on erythrocyte indices and serum biochemical constituents. The birds were divided into 5 treatment groups identified as T1, T2, T3 , T4 and T5 with 24 birds per group. Each group was replicated 3 times with 8 birds per replicate. Five experimental diets were formulated at (T1 0%), (T2 20%), (T3 30%), (T4 4%) and T5 50%) and fed to the birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). Water and feed were provided ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 5 weeks. The results showed that the erythrocyte values were similar (p>0.05) between the treatment groups, however, higher numerical values were observed in birds fed 50% maggot meal replacing fish meal. Many of the serum biochemical constituents did not show any significant difference (p>0.05) between the treatment groups, however, the cholesterol values showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the treatment groups. The serum protein values (Total serum protein, Albumin and Globulin) were similar (p>0.05) between the treatment groups. The enzyme activities did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that maggot meal replacement of fish meal in finisher broiler diet was not detrimental to erythrocyte and serum biochemical constituents of broiler finisher birds.

Key Words: Maggot meal, blood, erythrocyte, serum biochemistry, broilers