Blood Indices of Laying Hens Fed Varying Levels of Enzyme Fortified Cassava Peels Meal

Abstract

In a study to assess the replacement value of enzyme fortified cassava peels meal (EFCPM) for whole maize in the diets of 180 Nera birds laying hens, graded levels of EFCPM (0%, 15%, 35% and 50%) were used to replace corresponding levels of whole maize in four diets as treatments T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ (representing 0%, 15%, 35% and 50% inclusion levels respectively). Each treatment was replicated three times in completely randomized design. The study lasted for 12 weeks from the point of 40% hen day production. Haematological and serum biochemical indices were determined from blood samples taken from the birds in the different treatments. All the haematological and serum biochemical indices fell within normal range for normal chicken. While the haematological indices of  Haemoglobin (HB), Packed Cells Volume (PCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and White Blood Cells (WBC)  differed significantly (p <0.05) among treatment means, all the others were statistically similar (p >0.05). The haemaglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBC), Red blood cells (RBC) and mean cell haemaglobin concentration (MCHC) values decreased as % inclusion level of EFCPM increased. The serum biochemical indices of Albumin, Albumin/globulin ratio, and serum enzymes Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphotase (ALP)  differed significantly (p <0.05) between treatment means all the others were statistically similar (p >0.05). All serum biochemical parameters including cholesterol decreased as the inclusion level of EFCPM increased. Results showed that there were no observable deleterious effects on the blood indices as no mortality was recorded. EFCPM did not impact negatively on the blood parameters of the laying hens.