BLOOD INDICES OF EGG-TYPE CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING ASPILIA AFRICANA

Abstract

This study determines the effect of dietary replacement of soyabean meal with Aspilia africana leaf meal (ALM) on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of Isa brown strain of pullets. One hundred and ninety-two (192) pullets (14 weeks old) were assigned to four treatment groups; Control, 10, 20, and 30%ALM. Four replicates of twelve (12) birds each were distributed in a Completely Randomized Design. Data collected were analyzed using inferential statistics. Packed Cell Volume, Haemoglobin, Red Blood Cell and White Blood Cell increased (p<0.05) with more inclusion of Aspilia while MCV and MCH reduced (p<0.05) with increase in the Aspilia inclusion. Blood glucose, total protein, albumin and uric acid of the pullet birds increased (p<0.05) with increase in dietary Aspilia. Both globulin and AST content of all treatments containing Aspilia (inclusion level notwithstanding) were higher than the control with no inclusion at all. The study showed that A. africana had a significant effect on both haematological and serum biochemical indices of Isa Brown pullets.