Physiological evaluation of broiler finishers fed fermented bovine blood and rumen digesta meal

Abstract

A 35-day feeding trial involving three hundred (300) five (5) week old broilers was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate the haematology, serum biochemical and gastro-intestinal characteristics of broiler finishers fed diets containing a mixture of fermented bovine blood and rumen digesta (FBBRD) meal at dietary levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %, respectively. The birds were randomly grouped into five, with sixty birds each and four replicates of fifteen birds per treatment. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from eight birds randomly selected from each treatment for haematological and biochemical analyses. The group on 10 % FBBRD diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cells. Eosinophil values of birds on all the treatment groups except those on 5 % FBBRD dietary level were within the normal range. Serum biochemical analysis of the experimental birds recorded significant (P<0.05) differences in total protein, albumin, creatinine, cholesterol, except blood sugar concentrations. Serum concentrations of sodium and potassium of the experimental birds were also significantly (P<0.05) different. This study suggested that FBBRD meal when properly processed and at 10 % dietary level of inclusion, can be used in broiler finisher production without adverse effects on the physiological indices of birds