Effect of mixed vegetable based diets on haematology and serum biochemistry of meat type chickens

Abstract

The poultry industries main challenges in Africa include inadequate supply and high price of conventional feedstuff; this necessitated an experiment conducted to determine the effect of mixed vegetable diets (Moringa oleifera and Telferia occidentalis) as partial substitutes for soya bean meal on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing meat type-chickens. A total of one hundred and sixty day- old, unsexed broiler chicks (Anak Strain) were reared for 56 days. The birds were allotted to 4 dietary treatments with 40 birds per treatment, replicated 4 times. The experimental diets were formulated with Moringa oliefera and Telferia occidentalis (Fluted pumpkin) at (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) inclusion levels in broiler ration represented as T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. Data obtained were subjected to ANOVA in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using SAS (1994); significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of the same statistical package. The result revealed that birds fed diets containing mixed vegetables at 0%, 5% and 10% inclusion levels had the highest (P<0.05) PCV, Hb, RBC. The growing birds fed 5%, 10%, 15% had the least WBC and MCH. The results of the serum biochemistry showed that birds on 0% and 5% had the highest Total protein, sodium and chloride. Other parameters measured were not significant for the treatment. The study reveals that up to 10% inclusion level of mixed vegetable diets had the highest (p<0.05) PCV, Hb, RBC with the least WBC resulting in optimum performance and without any adverse effect on haematology and serum biochemical parameters which is an indication that it could replace soya bean meal in a typical broiler’s ration for improved performance.

Keywords: Haematological indices, Blood chemistry indices, Anak Strain chicken, Moringa oliefera and Telferia occidentalis