HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY INDICES OF FOUR (4) WEEK OLD BROILER CHICKENS ON DIETARY INCLUSION OF GINGER, TUMERIC AND GARLIC

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary inclusion of turmeric, ginger and garlic on blood profiles of broiler chicken at four weeks of age. One hundred and forty four (144) dayold broiler chickens were randomly distributed into four treatment groups with three replicates of 12 chicks in each. The treatment groups were T1 Control diet, while T2 contains 2% of turmeric powder, T3contains 2% of ginger powder and T4 contains 2% garlic powder. Feed and water were administered ad-libitum. At end of the feeding trials, three chickens were selected randomly from each treatment and sacrificed. Blood sample were collected via the jugular vein. Haematological results revealed that, WBC, MCHC and monocytes means were significantly (p<0.05) different amongst treatment. Serum indices also showed that Albumin and AST vary significantly (p<0.05) amongst treatment means. It can be inferred that 2% inclusion of ginger, turmeric and garlic in broiler diet in the first weeks of chicks’ life, influences WBC, MCHC, monocyte, albumin and AST values.