HEAMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF JAPANESE QUAIL (COTURNIX COTURNIX JAPONICA) FED GRADED LEVELS OF TURMERIC (CURCUMIN LONGA) POWDER

Abstract

This study was carried out to observe the haematological and biochemical indices of Japanese quails fed- graded levels of turmeric powder. A total of 372 (three hundred and seventy-two) two weeks old Japanese quails of mixed sexes (Coturnix coturnix japonica). The birds were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments of ninety three (93) birds each, and were replicated three times in a completely randomized design with thirty one (31) birds per replicate. Four experimental diets containing 0, 250g, 500g and 750g turmeric powder were given. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Blood samples were collected at six weeks old of growth phase into two sets of labelled sterile bottles and used for the analysis respectively. The results showed that dietary treatments had significant (0.05<p) effects of the packed cell volume, haemoglobin counts, red blood cells, white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil. However, it was observed that bids fed 500g turmeric had higher values for haematological parameters. Also, birds fed 500g turmeric powder had significantly higher (p<0.05) albumin, globulin, creatinine and urea but lower glucose and cholesterol level. For optimal productivity, 500g inclusion of turmeric powder is therefore recommended.