EFFECT OF TUMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA) AS FEED ADDITIVES ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on haematological parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 108 day old arboacre broiler chicks were divided into three treatment groups in completely randomized design with a total of 12 experimental unit. The birds were assigned at the rate of 36 birds per treatment in 4 replicates of 9 chicks per replicate. Turmeric powder was supplemented to the feed at the rates of 0, 0.5 and 1% throughout the experiment (8weeks). Blood samples (3 birds per treatments) were collected through the jugular veins at the termination of the experiment. All data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (p=0.05). The samples were taken to medical laboratory to determine PCV, RBC, HB, MCV, MCH, MCHC, granulocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte and white blood cell. Result showed that turmeric supplementation positively affected the vital haematological constituents like Pcv, Hb and Rbc of birds fed 0.5 and 1.0% of turmeric but there was increased in monocytes values for birds on diets 2 and 3 which may be attributed to endogenous corticosteroid. It can be concluded that turmeric has the potential to improve immune response in broiler chickens and its use at 1.0% inclusion is hereby recommended for better results.