HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF BROILER CHICKEN FED DIETS CONTAINING VARIED LEVEL OF THORN APPLE (DATURA STRAMONIUM) POWDER

Abstract

Thorn apple is a plant is a strong source of antioxidants and natural medication that can shield animals from stress and possible illnesses. Six weeks feeding trail was conducted using a total of 180 Ross 308 broiler chick to evaluate the effect of thorn apple on haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chicken. They were allotted into four (4) treatments of 45 birds per treatment and each treatment was further grouped into 3 replicates of 15 birds per replicate. T1-control, T2-diet containing 2g/kg of thorn apple, T3-diet containing 4g/kg of thorn apple and T4-diet containing 6g/kg of thorn apple, arranged in a complete randomized design. After six weeks, data were collected on haematology and serum parameters. Result revealed that the Highest (P<0.05) packed cell volume (30.00%) was recorded with broiler chicken fed diet containing 6g/kg of thorn apple while broiler chicken fed control diet had the least (24.25%). Highest (P<0.05) Haemoglobin concentration (13.88%) was recorded with broiler chicken fed diet containing 2g/kg of thorn apple while broiler chicken fed diet without the inclusion of thorn apple had the least (10.35%). Highest (P<0.05) white blood cell (137.50) was recorded from broiler chicken fed diet containing 2g/kg of thorn apple while broiler chicken fed diet with 0g/kg thorn apple had the least (97.00). Highest (P<0.05) cholesterol (4.18mmol/l) was recorded with broiler chicken fed control diet while broiler chicken fed diet containing 2g/kg of thorn apple had the least (2.15mmol/l). It can be concluded based on the result of this experiment that inclusion of thorn apple at 2g/kg in the diet may help maintain and improve health status of broiler chicken