Effects of Improved (Addition of Antimicrobials and Antioxidants) Locally Produced Natural Vitamin Premix on Performance, Hematology and Some Serum Constituents of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to compare the haematology and some serum constituents and performance of broilers fed diets containing improved (addition of anti-microbial and anti-oxidant) locally produced natural vitamin premix (LPNVP), LPNVP without improvement and commercial vitamin premix (CVMP). Haematology of the birds was not affected by the dietary treatments. However, red blood cell (RBC) count was significantly high (P<0.05) for the birds fed diet containing improved LPNVP The haemoglobin, PCK, RBC and WBC values observed for birds fed improved LPNVP were 13 gm%, 32%, 246 x 1012/L and 3.1 x 1010/L respectively. Serological parameters observed in the study were not significantly different (P>0,.05) for all the dietary conditions studied. Birds fed diet containing improved LPNVP also recorded comparable serum components to control diet containing the commercial vitamin/’mineral premix. Serum calcium, phosphorus, glucose, ureate, creatinine and total protein observed for birds fed diet containing improved LPNVP were 2.32%, 0.70%, 3.60Mmo/L, 2.9Mmo/L, 0.25Mmol/L, 58Mmol/L and 66g/100ml respectively. Feed intake, weight gain and feed utilization were similar (P>0.05) for the various dietary treatments. Birds fed improved LPNVP based diets tended to record better feed intake than did the control birds on CVMP based diets and unimproved LPNVP. Generally, improvement of LPNVP tended to give better performance of broilers than did other dietary treatments.