Performance, heamatological and serum biochemical Indices of broiler finisher Chickens fed toasted Faidherbia albida pods and seeds meal supplemented with multi- enzymes

Abstract

Ninety six (96) Anak-2000 white strain broiler finisher chickens were used to evaluate performance, haematological and biochemical indices.  The birds were randomly allocated to four (4) dietary treatments of twenty four (24) birds per treatment, replicated three (3) times with eight (8) birds per replicate in a complete randomized design (CRD), the experimental diet were formulated with faidherbia albida pods meal included in the feed across at the level of 0.0%, 2.0%, 4.0% and 6.0% representing T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively, data on performance was collected to include feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was later calculated.  The study lasted for twenty eight (28) days and the data generated were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA).  The chemical composition of the diet were analyzed to determine the CP, EE, CF, Ash, moisture and NFE calculated by the methods of (AOAC).  The crude protein ranges from 14.15 – 20.05 and the performance results shows the initial weight ranged 1450 – 1825kg and was significantly different (P<0.05).  Body weight gain ranges from 893.75 – 1017.92kg.  Average body weight gain 31.32 – 45.61kg.  Total feed intake 105.21 – 125.15kg. After the experimental period, the birds were starved and blood samples collected from 3 birds across the treatment groups through the jugular vein, 5mls of blood was collected into anti-coagulant free bottle for biochemical analysis which includes glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, albumin, globulin and total protein.  The result showed non-significant different (P>0.05) for all parameters except globulin with ranges of 18.69 – 30.25. The haematological analysis showed mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin (HB), packed cell volume (PCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were not (P>0.05) significantly different across all treatment groups. The proximate analysis of the test diet revealed CP 31.20%, EE 7.60%, CF 16.20%, NFE 30.15% and ME (kcal/kg) 2784.01. It is therefore concluded that the test diet Faidherbia albida pods meal can be included into the diet of broiler finisher chickens up to 6% without adverse effect on performance and blood profile/indices.  Further research into including higher levels of the test diet should be undertaken.