EFFECT OF LOCALLY SOURCED ALGAE AS DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION ON BEHAVIOUR OF BROILER CHICKENS AT STARTER PHASE

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Studies on the use of algae in animal diets have explored commercially manufactured algae biomass. However, there is dearth of information on the use of algae population found in the Nigerian waterways. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of locally sourced and heat-processed freshwater algae (Enteromorpha sp.) on the behaviour of broiler chickens at the starter phase. A total of 150 Arbor Acres strain of broiler chickens were used for this study. Birds were assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments were replicated three times to contain 10 birds each. The treatments were T1- Control without algae biomass, T2 and T3- dehydrated algae biomass at 60°and 80°C, respectively, T4 and T5- oven dried algae biomass at 600 and 800 C, respectively. The algae biomass was incorporated into the diet at 0.5% inclusion rate. Feeding of birds with algae-supplemented diet began during brooding and continued throughout the starter phase. During the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of age, the behaviour of the chickens was observed and recorded via CCTV cameras, after which the frequency of occurrence of the feeding, drinking, walking, dustbathing and wing flapping behaviour were extracted. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using Tukey’s test. Among the behaviours observed, only the dustbathing behaviour was significantly (p<0.05) affected by algae supplementation. The behaviour was highest in broilers offered dehydrated algae biomass at 60°C. It was concluded from this study that heat-processing and supplementation of algae from Nigeria freshwater in broiler chickens’ diet did not have a negative impact on their behaviours.