EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF AFRICAN LOCUST BEAN MEAL (Parkia biglobosa) ON THE HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The haematological and serum biochemistry response of broiler chickens fed to varying dietary levels of fermented African locust bean ({Parkia biglobosa) seed meal (FALBSM) was conducted. The trial was carried out for the period of 8 weeks using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four (4) treatments replicated three (3) times, the graded levels of fermented African locust bean meal administered were 0% (control), 7.5%, 15%, and 22.5% respectively. There were significant differences in the haemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), Neutrophils (%) and lymphocytes except packed cell volume (PCV) and white blood cell (WBC) count. The haemoglobin ranged 10.56 – 13.16, red blood cell (RBC) ranged 2.85 – 4.29, mean corpuscular volume of (MCV) ranged 103.46 – 122.77, mean corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) ranged 36.16 - 44.40, Neutrophils (%) ranged 34.62 – 45.52 and lymphocytes ranged 48.17 - 62.55. Significant difference was observed in total protein (TP), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST) except cholesterol. Broiler chickens fed 22.5% fermented African locust Bean seed meal had the highest total protein (TP) 41.31U/I, Alanine transaminase (ALT) 31.05 U/I and Aspartate transaminase (AST) 30.00 U/I with least values obtained control diet. It can be concluded that fermented African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) seed meal can be included in broiler chickens diet up to 15% level at starter phase and 22.5% at the finisher phase without any adverse effect on haematological and serum biochemical parameters.