EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL LEVELS OF LEMON GRASS LEAF MEAL ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF STARTER BROILER BIRDS (A CASE STUDY IN ISHIAGU, IVO, L.G.A OF EBONYI STATE)

Abstract

The effect of supplementing lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates) leaf meal on the growth performance and haematological profile of starter broiler birds formed the basis of this study. A total number of one hundred and twenty (120), one week old “Agric-tech” broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, each replicated three times with ten birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four different diets were formulated such that the lemon grass leaf meal was incorporated into the diets at the rate of 0.75%, 1.50% and 2.25% respectively, while treatment 1 served as the control with 0% level of lemon grass leaf meal. Feed and water were given ad-libitum throughout the experimental period of twenty one day. Results obtained from the growth performance in terms of initial body weight, final body weight, average daily body weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio showed significant (p<0.05) difference across the treatment group. Haematological profile results showed that there was significant (p<0.05) effect of lemon grass leaf meal across the treatment groups. From the present results, it can be concluded that lemon grass leaf meal can be added up to the levels of 2.25% in the diet of starter broiler birds without any negative impact in terms of growth performance and no detrimental effect to the health of the birds at this phase of growth.