Study of Supplementation of Various Levels of Biochar on Health and Production Performance of Growing Local Turkey (Meleagris gallopova) Poults

Abstract

The study determined the hematobiochemical, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme parameters of local day-old male turkey poults (n=24), during two feeding periods, grower phase (6-15 weeks) and finisher phase (16-24 weeks). A commercial (Top® brand) chick mash served as the basal diet, while biochar supplementation levels were 5, 15 and 25g/kg at the start of the grower phase, until slaughter. Poults fed 5 and 15g/kg biochar had higher (P<0.05) final body weight and average daily weight gain when compared with poults fed other treatment diets. White blood cell count was higher (P<0.05) in poults fed 25g/kg biochar diet compared with those of the control group. Poults fed 5 and 15g/kg biochar diets had reduced serum (P<0.05) aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, and bilirubin concentrations when compared with those of the control birds, while the lowest concentrations of uric acid were recorded in poults fed 5g/kg biochar diet. Increased (P<0.05) activities of serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase were observed in 15 and 25g/kg biochar groups, coupled with decreased (P<0.05) malondialdehyde values which were comparable (P>0.05) with those of the control group. The results of the present study revealed that 15g/kg biochar can be incorporated in the diet of local turkey poults for improved growth performance and serum-biochemistry and reduced lipid peroxidation. However, improvement in hematology and antioxidant enzyme activity in local turkey poults require 25g/kg biochar supplementation.