EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF COSTUS AFER LEAF AND STEM EXTRACTS ON THE HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

A total number of one hundred and twenty (120) 7-day old ‘Abor acre’ broiler chicks were divided into four groups of 30 birds each. Each group was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The birds were randomly assigned to 0, 5, 10 and 15mL of homogenous Costus afer leaf and stem extracts per litre of drinking water in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. The groups were labelled T₁ (control), T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. Commercial feed and Costus afer leaf and stem extracts were offered ad libitum and the birds were managed under the same experimental conditions
for 56days. At the end of the feeding trial, 4mL of blood samples from two birds per replicate were collected for hematological analysis. The result obtained showed that hemoglobin and parked cell volume value for T₁ and T₂ were similar (P>0.05) while T₁, T₃ and T₄ are similar (P>0.05). This study concluded that Costus afer extracts in drinking water of finisher broiler chickens recorded an increase in the red blood cell and PCV amongs chicken offered 15mL of the homogenous Costus afer leaf and stem extracts and up to 15mL of the extracts could be added. Also, the ratio of leaf to stem could be altered in the preparation of the extract, while using the same species of birds or using other poultry
birds like layers, turkey etc.