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Haematology of weaner pigs fed enzyme supplemented palm kernel cake (PKC).
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of enzyme supplemented Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) on the haematology of weaner pigs. Thirty large white x duroc crossbreed weaner pigs were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments such that each treatment had six pigs. The five treatments are 0%PKC without enzyme (Control), 40%PKC + Enzyme, 40%PKC Enzyme, 60%PKC +PKC and 60%PKC Enzyme which represented treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively (the percentage PKC were used as replacement for maize in this study). Each treatment was replicated thrice with two pigs per replicate. This is a completely randomized design (CRD), which lasted for twelve weeks. The experiment was carried out under intensive management system at the Delta State Pig farm. Experimental diets and clean water were provided ad libitum with other standard management practices strictly maintained throughout the experimental period.Within the last week of the feeding trial, one pig each from the replicates was selected at random for bleeding. Blood samples were collected through venepuncture on veins at the backside of the ears. The blood samples were then taken to the laboratory for haematological and biochemistry analysis. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. The results showed that the white blood cell (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and the Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) were not affected by the experimental diets as there were no significant (P>0.05) differences between their means. There were however significant (P<0.05) differences among the means of other haematological parameters. Generally, this study reveals no deleterious effect on the haematological parameters of the experimental animals. These results therefore indicates that up to 60% Palm kernel cake inclusion with or without enzyme supplementation in replacement for maize in weaner pigs diet are beneficial for pig performance and carcass quality.
Keywords: Haematology, Palm kernel Cake, Enzyme, weaner pigs.
