HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS FED HIGH-QUALITY CASSAVA PEEL MEAL SUPPLEMENTED DIET

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the haematological indices and serum biochemistry of finisher broiler chickens fed high-quality cassava peel meal. A total of 160-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were sourced from a reputable hatchery in Ibadan, Oyo State. The birds were randomly weighed and assigned into four dietary treatment groups supplemented with HQCP at 150, 200 and 250kg/ton of feed, each replicated four times with ten birds per replicate in a completely randomised design. Results shows that the haematological indices of birds fed high-quality cassava peel meal had significant (P<0.05) differences in Red blood cell (RBC), Packed cell volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin (Hb). Birds fed diet 2(150 kg HQCP/ton) and diet 3 (200kg HQCP/ ton) had the highest values for RBC, PCV and Hb (3.26 x106/mm3, 3.19%, and 13.07g/dl) and (28.0 x106/mm3, 27.67%, and 13.27g/dl), respectively. They are significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of birds on diet1(Control) and diet4(250kg HQCP/ton). However, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences across the treatment groups for white blood cell. The serum biochemistry revealed that total protein of birds fed diet 3 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed diets 1 and diet 4 respectively. The result of the Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP), and Bilirubin shows no significant (P>0.05) differences across the treatment groups. The result of the total cholesterol shows that birds fed diets 3 and 4 were not significantly different from each other but they were significantly lower than others. Therefore, cassava peels can replace maize at 150kg –250kg/ton inclusion level without any detrimental effect on the hematological parameters, and serum biochemical indices of finisher broiler chickens.