PREDICTION OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF FOUR-CHICKEN STRAINS USING SIMPLE LINEAR FUNCTION

Abstract

The objective of the study was to establish the relationship existing between haematological parameters by predicting the packed cell volume (PCV) of chickens from the other haematological variables in a study that was conducted at the Federal University of Technology, Akure Teaching and Research Farm. A total of 120-day old chicks of four strains were purchased from reputable Farm at 30 chicks per strain and used for the study that lasted eight (8) weeks. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design and the birds were distributed into four treatments according to their strain. Each group was replicated three times at 10 birds per replicate. The birds were fed experimental diet ad-libitum containing 23% crude protein and 2685.49Kcal/kg metabolizable energy during the period of the experiment. Adequate health preventive measures were ensured during the period of the study. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from 12 birds per strain and were analyzed on computer using SAS (2008). Results showed that haematological parameters were highly significant (p<0.01) among the four chicken strains. Coefficient of determination (R2 ) was highest in Haemoglobin for Naked neck breed with the value of 99.84%. Haemaglobin had the higher accuracy of prediction. This function was best with Marshall broilers compared to other chicken strains used for the study. White blood cells generally contributed low to PCV. It was concluded that Red Blood Cell (RBC) was the best predictor of PCV from other haematological variables across the chicken strains. Haematological parameters could be used to predict PCV in chickens and they could be used to assess the well being of poultry birds. This could help to generate baseline information necessary for breeding plans and improvement of the Nigeria Indigenous chickens.