Hematology and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chicks Fed Soybean (Glycine Max) Subjected to Varying Toasting Times

Abstract

Hematology and serum biochemical responses of broiler chicks to soybean subjected to varying toasting periods were assessed using ninety 4-week old broilers. In the 28-days trial, broilers were assigned to soybean subjected to five toasting times of 0 minutes as control, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes as treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively and incorporated into the treatment diets. Each treatment was replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were served ad libitum to the birds. Results showed that most hematological and serum biochemical parameters differed significantly (p<0.05) between birds in various treatments. However, no trend was observed in most of the results. Packed cell volume of the birds on T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄, which were 25.33, 26.67, 25.00 and 27.33% respectively were below the normal range of 30-40% except those of T₅, which had 30.67%. A similar trend was observed for Hb values of the birds. The serum biochemical parameters also varied (p<0.05) between treatments. Cholesterol level reduced with increasing toasting time of the soybean. It is hereby recommended that 15 minutes-toasting time of dietary soybean at 50⁰C is optimal broilers.

Keywords: Broilers, Soybean, toasting time, hematology, serum chemistry