IMPACT OF PROCESSED CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS (LEMON GRASS) LEAF MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to determine the impact of processed lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates) leaf meal on the growth performance and haematological indices of broiler birds. One hundred and twenty (120), day old "Agrited" broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four treatment groups, each replicated three times with ten birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Four diets were formulated such that the lemon grass leaf meal was incorporated into the diets at 0%, 0.75%, 1.50% and 2.25% corresponding to treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Feed
and water were given ad-libitum throughout the experimental period of 49 days. Final body weight was superior (P<0.05) in T4 (2530g), while the least value of 2200g was observed in treatment 1. Body weight gain was highest in T4 (1290g), but least in T1 (958g). While feed conversion ratio was at its best in treatment 4 with 1.99. Haematological profile results showed that there was no significant (P>0.05) effect of lemon grass leaf meal across the treatment groups studied in terms of haemoglobin and red blood cell, but differed (P<0.05) in packed cell volume and white blood cell. From the results obtained in this present research, it can be concluded that lemon grass leaf meal can be added up to 2.25% in the diet of broiler chickens without any undesirable effect in terms of growth performance and no negative impact on the health of the birds at this phase of growth.