HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF BROILER CHICKEN FED WILD COLOCYNTH FRUIT EXTRACT (Lagenaria breviflora) IN WATER

Abstract

A study was carried at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research Farms, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora with a total number of 96 unsexed day-old broiler chicks which were randomly allotted into 4 groups of 24 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was subdivided into 3 replicates of 8 birds each having an inclusion level of 0ml, 15mls,30mls and 45mls of wild colocynth fruit extract (WCFE) for a period of 7 weeks. Parameters collected on haematology (Packed cell volume (PCV) (%), red blood cells (RBC) (x106µl), haemoglobin (Hb) (g/dl), white blood cells (WBC) (x103µl), platelet (µl), eosinophil (%), basophil (%), heterophil (Het) (%), heterophil/lymphocyte ratio (H/L), Monocyte (Mon) (%) and serum (Total protein (Tp) (g/dl)), Albumin (Al) (g/dl), Albumin/Globulin (A/G), Globulin (g/dl), Creatinine (mg/dl), Glucose (mg/dl, Cholesterol (mg/dl), Triglycerides (Trigl) (mg/dl), AST (µl), AST (µl) and ALP (µl)) were subjected to ANOVA using SAS 2012 software, significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The result obtained showed that WCFE inclusion in drinking water of the birds significantly (p<0.05) affected Het, H/L, Mon, Tp, Alb, A/G as well as Trigl while other parameters were similar (p>0.05) across the treatment groups. It was concluded from the study that WCFE in drinking water of broiler chicken had no detrimental effects on haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler birds as all the parameters measured were within range of values and can be included up to 45ml/litre to enhance health status of broiler chicken.