EFFECT OF WILD SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia) AND GOAT WEED (Agerantum conyzoides) LEAF MEALS ON HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the influence of wild sunflower, and goat weed leaf meal composite leaf mix (CLM)) on the haematological indices of broiler chickens. A total of three hundred (300) healthy day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five (5) dietary treatments containing six replicates (10 birds/replicate) in a complete randomised design. The five experimental diets were formulated and designated as Diet 1 (Control), Diet 2 (0.11% Oxytetracycline
supplemented), Diet 3 (0.40% CLM), Diet 4 (0.80% CLM) and Diet 5 (1.20% CLM). The birds were fed ad-libitum and given cool, clean water for 42 days. Haematological parameters evaluated were red blood cells (RBC), heamoglobin concentration (Hbc), packed cell volume (PCV), cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBC), granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes. At six weeks of age, birds were randomly selected (two birds from each replicate), and blood samples were obtained from the birds and analysed for haematological indices. The result obtained from all the parameters measured were not significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the treatment fed to the birds. The PCV varied from 39.00- 44.50%, WBC varied from 3.20 – 6.96 x109 /1 and RBC varied from 1.66 – 1.90 x1012/1. In conclusion, the composite leaf mix (CLM) meals have no detrimental effects on broiler chickens' blood formation process. Keywords: Sunflower, Goat weed, Haematological indices, Broiler chicken.