EFFECTS OF SODIUM BICARBONATE SALT AND TURMERIC POWDER ON PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF ISA BROWN HENS

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the effects of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder on performance and haematological parameters of Isa brown hens. The experiment was conducted at the poultry unit of the Department of Animal Production Abubukar Tafawa Balewa University located in Gubi, Bauchi. A total of one hundred and eighty four (184) Isa Brown layers at 51 weeks of age were used for the study, which was conducted during the rainy season (July-October). The hens were kept in deep litter system during the experiment. The control birds were administered feed without sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder while the other treatments received diet supplemented with bicarbonate salt supplemented at the level of 0.30 g and 0.70 g, turmeric powder at the level of 0.30g and 0.70g, and the combinations S30T30, S30T70, S70T30 and S70T70. During lay, the birds were fed once daily with compounded ration containing 16% crude protein, other constituents of the feed includes vitamins, minerals and amino acid. Water was ad libitum. The result revealed that the supplementation of sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder did not affect the feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, significant (P< 0.001) differences were in feed per egg and the hen day production (%HDP). It was observed that birds on inclusion level of 0.70g sodium bicarbonate salt (116.74±0.05) increased feed per egg while the least values was obtained on birds fed with 0.30g sodium bicarbonate salt inclusion which decreased feed per egg. It was also observed that sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder did not affect haematological parameters thereby making it safe for the birds. From the finding of this research it is concluded that sodium bicarbonate salt and turmeric powder significantly improved performance and is therefore recommended for Isa brown hens.