REPLACEMENT VALUE OF ENZYME FORTIFIED FEATHER MEAL ON HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF LAYER CHICKENS

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the replacement value of enzyme fortified feather meal on haematological and serum biochemical indices of layer chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) Isa brown layers were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design, which was further replicated three times. Experimental diets 1,2,3,4,5, were formulated such that diet 1 contained 0% enzyme fortified feather meal, 2,3,4,5 contained 1, 2, 3 and 4% levels of enzyme fortified feather meal respectively. Blood samples were collected from the birds, one sample from each replicate making a total of nine samples per treatment for haematological and biochemical assessment. Results obtained showed significant difference (P<0.05) on all haematological indices and for serum biochemical indices except for albumin, globulin, creatinine, K, bicarbonate and chloride ions which recorded non-significant difference. The study suggested that enzyme fortified feather meal could be used in layer’s diet up to 4% without any adverse effect.