Blood profile of broiler chickens fed varying levels of crude fibre and energy in multi-fibre source-based diets without enzyme supplementation

Abstract

This study sought to assess the effect of dietary crude fibre – energy relationships onthe blood profile of unsexed Obamarshal strain of broiler chickens fed different levels of dietary crude fibre (CF) each at three levels of metabolisable energy (ME) in multi-fibre source-based diets from day-old to 56 days of age. Results indicated that neither CF nor ME and their interaction had significant effect on hematological indices measured at 50 days of age. The values of hematological indices obtained for the treatment groups fell within the standard values for normal chickens. Except for the blood cholesterol, there was no significant effect of varying levels of CF or ME on other serum metabolites and likewise their interaction effect. While increasing CF level tended to reduce significantly (P<0.05) blood cholesterol, incremental levels of ME tended to increase (P<0.05) blood cholesterol and also their interaction effects. The values of serum cholesterol in the birds ranged from 106 mg/dl for diet B to 181 mg/dl for diet D, which were within the range for normal chicken. Conclusively, the findings showed that blood profile was not adversely affected even at 12% CF and 3000 ME (Kcal/kg) diet.

Keywords: Broiler, crude fibre, metabolisable energy, calorie: protein ratio, blood