Effect of Oral Supplementation of L-Arginine on the Hematological Indices of Shika Brown Chickens

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of oral administration of L-Arginine (amino acid) on the blood profile of Shika brown birds. A total of 99 (twelve weeks old) unsexed Shika Brown strains of birds were randomly divided into three experimental groups having three replicates per treatment and 11 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Oral L- Arginine was added into the drinking water of the birds at three levels (0, 167 and 33 mg/l) for 5 weeks. At the end of the 5^th week blood samples were collected through decapitation of the birds and were taken to the laboratory for analysis. The result showed that all the hematological parameters of the birds except the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly (p<0.05) affected at all levels. The oral supplementation of L-Arginine enhances the production of red blood cell, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume at 167 mg/l of arginine in water It was concluded that the oral supplementation up to 167mg/l of L-Arginine in water can be given to the birds to enhance the performance and biochemical activities of poultry birds.