Hematological and Serum Biochemical Indices of Finisher Broilers Fed Graded Levels of Yam Peel Meal

Abstract

One hundred and twenty-twenty four weeks old Marshal Broiler birds were used in a 28-day feeding trial to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of yam peel meal (YPM) for maize on the haematological and serum chemistry profile of finisher broilers. The birds were assigned to four treatment groups of 30 birds each, which were further replicated in triplicate of 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% inclusion of YPM were formulated and offered to birds during the study. The haematological and serum biochemical indices were carried out at the end of the experiment. Results obtained showed no treatment effect (p>0.05) in all the parameters except for mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Total serum protein (TSP), globulin, urea, potassium and bi-carbonates also differed across the means.