Haematology and serum chemistry of finisher broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diet supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the haematology and serum chemistry of broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur. A total of 270 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to nine treatment groups of 30 birds making 10 birds per replicate group. Starter and finisher diets were formulated and fed for a period of 56 days. Dietary treatments were subjected to Completely Randomized Design in a 3 × 3 factorial experimental layout. Birds were fed diets supplemented with 0, 125, 250 mg/kg DL-methionine and 0, 125, 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur from CuSO4. Results of haematological parameters showed no significant (p>0.05) difference among the treatment groups except the packed cell volume. The higher value of 31.33% was obtained for PCV in the birds fed diet supplemented with 0mg/kg DL-methionine + 125mg/kg CuSO4. Values recorded for biochemical indices varied significantly (p<0.05) among dietary treatments for total protein, globulin and cholesterol. High significant (p<0.05) values of 50.80 g/l and 29.85 g/l were obtained for total protein and globulin in the birds fed diet supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL-methionine + 250 mg/kg CuSO4. Lower (p<0.05) value of 155.81mg/dl was recorded for cholesterol in birds fed diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg DL-methionine + 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur. Based on the results obtained for haematological and serum chemistry parameters, it was concluded that supplementation of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur in broiler diet at 125 mg/kg DL-methionine + 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur level of supplementation improved dietary protein and had no inimical effect.

Key words: Maize-cassava; DL-methionine; inorganic sulphur; haematology; serum
chemistry.