Serum biochemistry and haematological indices of finisher broilers fed varied levels of frog (Rana esculenta) meal as a replacement for full fat soybean

Abstract

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of varied levels of frog meal as a replacement for full fat soybean on the haematology and serum biochemistry of finisher broilers. One hundred and forty-four (144) day old broilers were allocated to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 25%, 50%, and 100% of frog meal (FML). Each treatment had thirty-six (36) birds, divided into three (3) replicates of twelve (12) birds. Observed results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the haematological parameters except MCH, MCHC and Lymphocyte with birds in treatment four (100%FML) showing improved levels of haematological indices. Significant differences (P<0.05) were also observed for total protein, globulin, all the blood serum parameters except the values for cholesterol. Values observed for both the haematology and serum biochemistry of the birds showed that frog meal significantly improved their values without having any negative effect on the health of the birds when compared to the control. Results from the feeding trial showed that full fat soybean could be replaced replaced with frog meal up to 100% without any negative implication on the health of the birds.