Microbial population and blood profile of finisher broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Crina poultry plus®.

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the effect of Crina Poultry Plus® (a natural blend of essential oils and benzoic acid) on microbial population and blood profile of finisher broiler chickens. Six treatment diets were formulated by the addition of Crina Poultry Plus® (CPP®) at 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6g/kg of feed. Two hundred and forty day-old chicks were allocated with each treatment having 4 replicates and 10 broilers each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on the microbial population (crop and ceca) and serum lipid profile. The result of microbial population showed that lactic acid bacteria counts were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the crop and ceca of birds fed diet containing CPP® compared to the control group. The coliform count was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the crop and ceca of broilers fed control diets compared to diets supplemented with CPP®. The PCV, RBC, Hb and WBC were significantly (P<0.05) higher in broilers fed CPP® compared to the control group, while the cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein were significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to birds fed control diet. High density lipoprotein was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed diets containing CPP® than those fed control diet. It was concluded that the addition of 0.6 g CPP® in broiler diets maintained the haematological indices, microbial balance and improved the level of high density lipoprotein.

Keywords: benzoic acid, essential oils, microbial population, blood profile and broiler chickens.