Haematological and serum biochemical indices of three different strains of pullets supplemented with Khaya senegalensis stem bark meal as anticoccidial in the diets

Abstract

The effects of supplementing different levels of Mahogany (khaya senegalensis) stem bark (KSSB) meal in the diet of pullets on some blood parameters was investigated. A total of 360 day-old chicks were arraigned in a 5 x 3 factorial design of 5 dietary levels (Diet 1 served as negative control without supplementation, Diet 2 was supplemented with 100 mg/kg of anticoccidiostat (sulphaquinoxaline) , Diets 3 and 4 were supplemented with 100 and 200mg/kg KSSB respectively at intervals of 21^st - 27^th, 42^nd – 48^th and 112^th – 118^th day, while diet 5 was supplemented with 100mg/kg KSSB which was continuously fed from 1^st -118^th day) and 3 strains of chickens (Isa Brown, Nera Black and Oba Blue). Results showed (P<0.05) lowered packed cell volume (PCV) and higher white blood cell count in Isa brown and Nera black fed diet 1. Uric acid, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase values were highest (P< 0.05) in pullets fed diets 1 and 5 irrespective of the strain. These results revealed that KSSB at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg can be included in the diets of pullets at intervals without deleterious effect on the health of the birds. However, continuous usage of KSSB in the diet of the pullets showed some level of toxicity in the blood.

Keywords: haematological indices, khaya senegalensis, pullets, biochemical parameters