HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKENS ON SUPPLEMENTED TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) DIETS

Abstract

This research was conducted to evaluate the haematological parameters of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with turmeric powder. One hundred and twenty-eight (128), 2 weeks old brooded broiler chicks were randomly selected and allocated into 4 equal groups that were respectively assigned as follows to four treatment diets; 1, 2, 3 and 4. Diet 1 contained no turmeric powder while in Diets 2, 3 and 4, turmeric was added at 100, 200 and 300g/100kg feed. On the last day of the experiment, the birds were assessed for haematological values. All the results obtained for RBC, PVC, Haemoglobin, WBC and its differentials were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by treatment diets, but numerically values of most of the parameters were slightly higher in the chickens fed turmeric supplemented diets. For example, RBC values were 2.04, 2.34, 2.38 and 2.18(x10⁶ mm³) respectively in T₁ - T₄. PVC values were 26.81, 27.11, 27.62 and 26.92(%) in T_{1 -} T₄.  Haemoglobin ranged from 8.16dl in T₁ - 8.96dl in T₃ while WBC was 6.45 x10⁶mm³ (T₁ ) and 7.88 x10⁶mm³ (T₄).  Lymphocyte value was also least 78.11% in the turmeric free diet, while for neutrophils, the turmeric fed chickens had lower values.  The overall results in this study showed that turmeric powder can successfully be included in broiler rations up to the level of 300g/100kg feed as was done in this study with no adverse consequences on health of the birds.