Haematological indices of broiler finisher chickens fed different hourly cooked Doum Palm (Hyphaene thebaica) pulp meal diets.

Abstract

A 28-day study was carried out to determine the effect of differently cooked doum palm (Hyphaene thebaica) pulp meal diets on haematological indices of broiler finisher chickens. A total of 216 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six treatments. Each treatment consisted of 36 birds with three replicates of twelve birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Six experimental diets were formulated and designated as follows: T1 (Control) contained 0 % doum palm (Hyphaene thebaica) pulp meal while T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 contained 12.5% each as substitute for maize which were cooked for 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 minutes respectively. Experimental feeds and water were provided ad libitum for all treatment groups. The results showed significant differences for Red blood cell count (x103/mm3) across dietary treatments. Birds fed diets T4, T5 and T6 had significantly (p>0.05) similar and highest values (2.70, 2.73 and 2.87 respectively) which was comparable with birds fed control diet (T1). Mean cell volume (fl) concentration ranged from 77.18 (T3) to 90.03 (T2). On the basis of the results obtained, it was concluded that inclusion of 12.5% of 20 to 100 minutes cooked doum palm (hyphaene thebaica) pulp meal in broiler diets did not pose any adverse effects on the haematological indices of broiler finisher chickens