Effect of feeding raw and differently processed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal on performance, serum biochemical indices and hematological values of finisher broiler chickens

Abstract

Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemical profile of broiler chicken fed raw and differently processed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal was investigated. Two hundred Anak 2000 broiler chicks were divided into five groups with four replicates, in a Completely Randomized Design. Five diets were formulated; diet 1 (control), contained 0 % while diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 had 10 % of the test ingredient replacing 50 % of Soya bean meal in diet. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio and overall weight gain values recorded for T2 and T1 were similar but differed significantly (P<0.05) from values recorded for T3, T4, and T5 respectively. Haemoglobin, Red blood cell and serum cholesterol values for T1, T2 and T3 were similar but differed significantly ((P<0.05) from values obtained for T4 and T5. The Packed cell volume, White Blood Cell, Mean Corpuscular volume, Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and glucose values for T1 and T2 were similar but differed significantly (P<0.05) from values obtained in T3, T4 and T5. It was concluded that birds fed on test ingredients processed by autoclaving performed better among birds fed test diet. This could probably imply that autoclaving method of treatment reduced the level of anti nutritional factors in the diets to a more tolerable level, thereby making the nutrients accessible to birds.

Key words: Cassia obtusifolia, Broiler chickens, Performance, Serum and Haematological indices