EFFECT OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF GARLIC, GINGER AND ROSELLE EXTRACTS ON THE HAEMATOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BIOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKEN

Abstract

A total of 200 unsexed day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were used to determine the effect of orally-administered garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyx extracts on the haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chicken. The treatments were: 100 % water with no plant extracts (T1); 4 g of roselle per 1 litre of water (T2); 4 g of roselle and 4 g of ginger per 1 litre of water (T3); 4 g of roselle and 2 g of garlic per 1 litre of water (T4) and 4 g of roselle, 4 g of ginger and 2 g of garlic per 1 litre of water (T5). The birds were randomly allotted to the five treatments; each treatment was replicated four times containing 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD) model. Feed and water were supplied to the birds ad libitum for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, two birds per replicate were randomly selected, kept off feed for 12 hours and blood samples collected through their branchial wing veins, using hypodermic needles and syringes. Blood samples of 5 ml were collected from each bird into two different sample bottles: one containing EDTA anticoagulant for haematological analyses while, the other containing no EDTA for serum biochemical analyses. Results showed that roselle extract in combination with either garlic or ginger improved the PCV and stabilized the WBC, though with no significant effect (P>0.05) on haemoglobin concentration and RBC. Also, it significantly (P<0.05) increased the concentration of the liver enzymes, ALT and ALP, and the total bilirubin level. Hence, oral administration of 4 g roselle + 4 g ginger + 2 g garlic per litre of drinking water optimized the haematoogical characteristics and serum biochemical profile of broiler chicken.