EFFECT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LEAF MEAL SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMO-BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSE OF BROILER-CHICKENS

Abstract

The growth performance and haemo-biochemical characteristics of broiler-chickens to dietary supplementation of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal (OGLM) was investigated in a 42 day feeding trial. A basal diet was formulated using the conventional feed ingredients. The diet was divided into six equal portions, and supplemented with OGLM to have diet 1 (0 g OGLM /100kg diet; serving as positive control), diet 2 (0 g OGLM /100kg diet + 250 mg antibiotic, serving as negative control), diet 3 (250 g OGLM /100kg diet), diet 4 (500 g OGLM /100kg diet), diet 5 (750 g OGLM /100kg diet), diet 6 (1000 g OGLM /100kg diet). Feed intake, weight gain, hematological and serum profile of birds fed Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal supplements were significant (P<0.05) while feed conversion ratio and white blood counts were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Supplementation of OGLM at the optimal level of 750 g/100kg diet improved growth rate and up to 1000 g/100kg diet did not compromise blood profile of broiler chickens.