BLOOD PROFILE OF BROILER STARTER CHICKENS FED DIETS WITH FENUGREEK (Trigonella foenum graecum) OIL AND BLACK SEED (Nigella sativa L.) OIL

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the blood profile of broiler chickens fed diet with fenugreek oil and black seed oil. Two hundred unsexed day-old broiler chicks were sourced from a reputable hatchery and randomly allocated to five dietary treatments of 40 birds per treatment in a completely randomized design experiment and the birds were sub-divided into four replicate each. Five experimental diets were formulated using commercial feed (Adva starter) such that diet 3, 4 and 5 were supplemented with fenugreek oil and black seed oil at ratio of 10:10, 10:20 and 20:10ml/kg diet respectively while diet 1 and 2 served as positive and negative control with no addition of test ingredients. At the end of four weeks, two birds were randomly selected from each replicate and blood samples were collected for hematology and serum indices through their jugular vein. Results of haematological parameters showed that Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin, Red blood cell, Lymphocyte, Heterocytes and Eosinophil were significantly (P<0.05) affected while the serum biochemistry results showed significant (P<0.05) differences on Albumin, Globulin,Aspertate transaminoferase, Alanine transaminase, Alkaline Phosphatase, High density Lipoprotein, Glucose, Creatinine and Urea, respectively. It can be

concluded that dietary supplementation of fenugreek oil and black seed oil at moderate inclusion level (i.e 10:10ml/kg) enhances Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin and Red blood cell, supporting better oxygen transport and overall health while serum profile at 10:20ml/kg could be assumed as optimum level to maintain good

health status of broiler chicken.