Haemogram of Broilers Fed Cassia obtusifolia Seed Meal as a Substitute to Protein
NEILS, J.S., CLEMENT, A. AND U.I. DAZALA
Department of Animal Production
Adamawa State University, Mubi, Nigeria.
E-mail: neilsjoel@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Haemogram of eight weeks broiler birds was studied after being fed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal with different treatments (T1 to T4), T1served as control. One hundred and twenty (120) day old broiler chicks purchased from a reputable source were divided in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) into four dietary treatments groups. Each treatment was replicated three times. Four experimental feeds were compounded with processed Cassia obtusifolia seed meal at concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% representing T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Generally, the results showed the Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC) was above the normal value but values decreased with an increase in the seed meal level of feed. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration remained within the limit of normal range in all treatments. Packed Cell Volume (PCV) followed the pattern of haemoglobin where all treatments groups did not show any level of significance (P > 0.05) when compared to the control. Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), T2 to T4 showed strong levels of significance (P < 0.0001) but the values of T3 and T4 were below the normal lower range. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH), all except T4, their values are lower than the lowest normal range, but showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between each group. Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), have surpassed all normal range of concentration in the different treatment groups, however, all treatments showed statistical significance (P > 0.0001). Total White Blood Cell Count (TWBC) was found to be lower than the normal range where T3 and T4 did not show any level of significance (P > 0.05). The study showed lots of fluctuations and was concluded that C. obtusifolia seed meal could have been responsible. The seed meal could be used at 2.5% in mature birds.