Blood Indices of Broiler Finisher Birds Fed Varying Dietary Levels of Yam Peels Meal

 

 

Abstract

In a study to evaluate the blood indices of broiler finisher birds fed 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% yam peels meal (YPM), 240 unsexed four weeks old cob breed of broilers were used in a completely randomized design. The birds were randomly allotted to four treatment groups denoted as T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ which represented YPM inclusion levels of 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% respectively. Each treatment group of 60 birds was further replicated three times. The study lasted for 28 days. Feed and water were supplied, libitum and all management practices for raising broilers were adhered to. On the 55^th day of age, 5 birds were randomly selected from each replicate, starved of feed but not water for 12 hours. 10ml of blood sample was drawn from the wing vein of each bird. 5ml was put into bottles containing anti coagulant. Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic acid to access haematological indices while the other 5ml was put into sterile bottles to coagulate for the assessment of serum biochemical indices. Results showed that MCH differed significantly among treatment means but did not follow any particular trend though 15% inclusion level had the highest numerical figure. Total serum protein, globulin and urea differed significantly (p<0.05) among treatment means but did not follow any particular trend and same with serum ions potassium and bicarbonate while serum enzymes were similar (p>0.05). Results indicate that yam peels did not impact negatively on blood indices of the birds.