Effects of brewer’s dried grain consumption on hematological indices of laying birds

Abstract

One hundred, 22 weeks old Nera black pullet were used in eight weeks feeding trial to assess the effects of brewer’s dried grain (BDG) as energy source on hematological profile of the birds. Five experimental diets were formulated in which T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 contained 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% BDG respectively. The laying hens were divided into five treatment groups of 20 birds each and each group further replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Drinking water and feed were supplied without restriction, while scrupulous sanitation and medication programs were followed. At the 8^th week of the trial, two birds were randomly selected from each replicate and 7 mls of blood aspirated from each hen through the wing vein using 10 ml sterile syringe to determine blood indices such as packed cell volume (PCV), blood clotting time (BCT), red blood cells (RBC), Mean Cell Volume (MCV), Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH), and Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC). Results revealed lower BCT from the hens on diet T2 (25% BDG), followed by those on diet T3 (50% BDG). Laying hens placed on diet T5 had the highest (p< 0.05) clotting time. PCV, RBC, HB, and MCV values obtained from T1 0%(BDG), were higher than those of T4 (75%) and T5 (100%) BDG. However, white blood cells count increased as brewer’s dried grain increased in the diet, even though there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the treatments on the hematological indices that were assessed. The results showed that above 50% BDG in laying hens diet, values of hematological parameters decreased, while performances were significantly (p<0.05) affected. Results showed that 50% replacement value of spent grain for maize is optimum for laying hens.

Keywords: Brewers dried grain, maize, hematology, laying birds

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 311-316, 2010