Effect of Feeding Fortified Composite Cassava Stump Meal-based Diets on Haematology and Serum Biochemical Indices in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This trial was designed to study the effects of Fortified composite cassava stump meal (FCCSM) as energy source in the diets of broiler chickens diets using haematology and biochemical indices as response criteria. Five diets were formulated in which FCCSM was added at 0. 5. 10, 15 and 20% and designated diets I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. 150 broiler chicks (Abor-Acre breed) were assigned to 5 treatments of 3 replicates with 10 chicks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Feed and water were offered to the chicks from 1 – 49 days. At the end of the trial, 2 birds per replicate were
slaughtered and their blood collected for haematology and biochemical indices studies. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Results showed that highest Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (5.67mm/hr) and lowest Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (3.00mm/hr) were recorded in birds fed diets I and V, respectively. Highest packed cell volume  30.00%), highest haemoglobin concentration (9.98g/100ml) were recorded in bird fed diet V while lowest packed cell volume (23.50%), lowest haemoglobin concentration (7.83g/100ml) were recorded in bird fed diet I. Highest total protein (5.53g/dl) was observed in bird fed diet V, while lowest total protein (4.25g/dl) was recorded in bird fed diet. Generally, there was no deleterious effect of the treatments on the haematological and biochemical indices of the broiler chickens. Consequently, it was recommended that FCCSM could be included up to 20% in the diets for broiler-chickens.