EFFECT OF DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH BLACK PEPPER (Piper nigrum) ON THE HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF STRESS-INDUCED STARTER BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of black pepper supplemented diets on the haematological indices of starter broiler chickens induced with corticosterone. It was found that broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with black pepper (BP) at 6 g/kg without corticosterone or vitamin C at 2 g/kg with corticosterone had the highest Haemoglobin levels. Red blood cells were highest in birds fed BP at 6 g/kg without corticosterone and BP at 12 g/kg with corticosterone. Lymphocyte levels were highest in birds receiving vitamin C at 2 g/kg, regardless of corticosterone. The highest heterophil and heterophil-to-lymphocyte (H/L) ratio values were observed in birds fed the control diet that is, without corticosterone and BP at 6 g/kg with corticosterone. Overall, supplementation with vitamin C and black pepper, with or without corticosterone, did not adversely affect the health parameters of the broiler chickens