Performance, blood profile and gut morphometry of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Yohimbe (Pausynistalia yohimbe) and Larvacide.

The need for making livestock products free from antibiotics residue and other synthetic chemicals has resulted to the use of herbal products in livestock production. A 42-day study was conducted to compare the influence of Yohimbe (Pausynistalia yohimbe) and Larvacide on the growth performance, blood profile and gut morphometry of broiler chickens. Two hundred and twenty five 14-day old broiler chickens were randomly allotted into five treatment groups comprising of forty five chicks each. The groups were triplicates of fifteen birds. The five treatment groups consist of Basal (control), Larvacide (5 mg/Kg), three levels of Yohimbe supplementation (60 mg, 120 mg, and 180 mg/Kg) diets. Each supplement was supplied with the specified diets for the two phases of feeding [starter diet (3-4weeks) and the finisher diet (5-8weeks)]. Data collected were subjected to One-way analysis of variance. Results show insignificant effect (p>0.05) on the growth performance parameters at the starter phase. However, at the finisher phase, supplementation of Yohimbe resulted to a progressive reduction in the feed intake (p<0.05) without consequential reduction in the body weights. The chickens fed Basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the best Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). Furthermore, chickens fed basal starter diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) total protein, globulin, Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC), and Eosinophil counts while it had the least (p<0.05) Alanine Transaminase (ALT), uric acid and creatinine. Also, chickens fed basal starter diet + 60 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) while chickens fed basal starter diet+120 mg Yohimbe had highest (p<0.05) High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), but lower Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride. At the finisher phase, chickens fed basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) Pack Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin and basophils while chickens fed basal diet+60 mg Yohimbe had the highest WBC. Chickens fed basal diet+120 mg Yohimbe had the least ALT and uric acid. Triglyceride, and cholesterol, HDL and VLDL, were lowered (p<0.05) in chickens fed basal diet+Larcacide. Also, chickens fed basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe had the highest (p<0.05) villi height. The study concluded that feeding broiler chickens basal diet+180 mg Yohimbe improved optimum growth performance, blood profile and gut morphology.

Erratum to "Serum chemistry and gut morphology of two strains of broiler chickens to varying interval of post hatch feeding" [5C (June 2018) 20-25].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2017.12.001.].

Serum chemistry and gut morphology of two strains of broiler chickens to varying interval of post hatch feeding.

This trial was carried out to determine the responses of two broiler strains of chicken to different post-hatch access to feed. 180-day old chicks (Arbor acre and Marshal strains) with initial weight range of 39.36-42.24 g were used for this study. Each strain was divided on weight equalization into three treatment groups consisting of three time-periods with access to feeds (4 h, 24 h, 48 h) post hatch in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment after which they were fed ad-libitum. Thirty (30) birds were assigned to each treatment which comprised of three replicates of ten birds. Data collected on serum biochemical constituents and gut morphology were measured and subjected to analysis of variance in a randomized design. The Marshal strain recorded a higher (p < 0.05) final live weight (2420.00 g/bird) than the Arbor acre strain (2218.30 g/bird). Birds fed at 4 h and 24 h post-hatch recorded higher (p < 0.05) final live weights (2402.00 and 2391.00 g/bird) than those fed at 48 h post-hatch (2133.00 g/bird). Interaction effects showed that the Marshal strain fed at 4 h post-hatch had the highest (p < 0.05) final live weight (2594.00 g/bird). Highest (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin (37.3 and 22.8 g/l) were recorded in birds fed at 4 h post-hatch when assessed at 4 weeks of age. Furthermore, birds fed at 4 h and 24 h post-hatch recorded higher (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin than those fed at 48 h post-hatch. Birds fed at 4 h post-hatch recorded the highest (p < 0.05) duodenal villus height at 4th and 8th week of age and highest (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height when assessed in the 2nd week of age. It was concluded that Marshal strain fed at 4 h post-hatch elicited the highest growth performance and the most developed gut morphological features.

Performance and blood biochemistry profile of broiler chickens fed dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powders as antioxidants.

A 56-day experimental trial was conducted to investigate the performance and blood biochemistry profile of broiler chickens fed dietary turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder (t) and cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutescens) powder (c) as antioxidants. Two hundred and forty three (two-week old) broiler chicks were randomly allotted into nine treatment groups consisting of 27 selected chicks and three replicates of nine birds each. Three levels of t - (0, 200 and 400 g/ 100 kg basal diet) and three levels of c - (0, 100 and 200 g/ 100 kg basal diet) were used to formulate nine dietary treatments (basal diet (B) inclusive) and fed to each groupin two phases, starter (3-4 weeks) and finisher (5-8 weeks) phases in a randomized design. Feed intake and weight gain were highest (p < 0.05) in chicks fed B + 100c diet at the starter phase, while feed conversion ratio was best (p < 0.05) in chickens fed B + 400t + 200c diet at finisher phase. All chickens fed dietary additives had significantly (p < 0.05) decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and low density lipoproteins but increased high density lipoproteins in the starter phase. The hematological count determined indicate poor (p < 0.05) profile in groups fed B + 200c diet. Feeding broiler chicks dietary B + 400t + 200c was recommended for optimal growth performance. However, indices measured in the finisher phase allude that the best (p < 0.05) lipid profile were for chickens allotted B + 400t and B + 200t + 100c diets, while chicks fed B + 200t + 100c diet had overall a better serum count in the finisher phase.

Health status of birds fed diets containing three differently processed discarded vegetable-bovine blood-rumen content mixtures.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding three differently processed mixtures on health status of broilers. A total of 1080 day-old Marshal broilers were fed; discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P1), discarded vegetable-ensiled bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P2) and discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) at three levels of inclusion (0, 3 and 6%). Data on blood parameters was taken and were subjected to 3 x 3 factorial arrangements in a completely randomized design. Birds fed P1 had least values (p < 0.05) of serum glucose, total protein, globulin, uric acid and creatinine at starter phase. Birds fed diets containing 3 and 6% level of inclusion recorded the highest (p < 0.05) Packed cell volume, Haemoglobin, White blood cell and Red blood cell values. However, those fed at 0% level of inclusion recorded the highest albumin value. At finisher phase, birds fed P2 and P3 had the highest glucose, uric acid and creatinine values. 6% level of inclusion significantly (p < 0.05) increased the total protein and albumin values. Therefore, for enhanced performance and without comprising the health condition of birds; broiler chickens could be fed diets containing discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) up to 6% level of inclusion.

Comparison of the performance, carcass characteristics and haematological parameters of broiler chicks reared in cage and floor.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of housing systems on the performance, carcass characteristics and the haematology of 150 four-week old Anak titan strains of broiler chicks in a completely randomized design. The birds were allocated randomly into two treatment (cage and floor) groups of three replications containing 25 birds per replicate. They were maintained for a period of 4 weeks and data were collected on; final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed:gain and mortality. At the 56th week, carcass yield, cut-up parts and organs weights as well as some parameters were measured. The results showed that feed intake and feed:gain were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the cage system. Dressing percentage and breast weight were higher (p < 0.05) in the floor housing system while drumstick and lung weight were higher in the cage system. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was obtained in the haematology. It was then concluded that an improvement in the floor system could result into a better performance and an increased carcass yield.