EFFECTS OF ENZYME SUPPLEMENTED PEARL MILLET DIETS ON CARCASS AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Section: Articles Published Date: 2023-06-05 Pages: 04-07 Views: 8 Downloads: 12

Authors

  • John Ejembi Edache Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Nigeria
  • Stephen Inyam Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
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Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of enzyme supplementation in pearl millet-based diets on the carcass and hematological parameters of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each with three replicates. The dietary treatments included a control diet without enzyme supplementation, and three diets containing 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% enzyme supplementation, respectively. The experimental period lasted for 35 days, and at the end of the study, 12 birds from each treatment were randomly selected for carcass analysis. Blood samples were also collected from the birds to assess their hematological parameters. Results showed that enzyme supplementation at 0.10% and 0.15% significantly (p < 0.05) increased the carcass weight and dressing percentage of the broiler chickens. The hematological parameters, including red blood cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume, were not significantly affected by the enzyme supplementation. In conclusion, enzyme supplementation in pearl millet-based diets can improve the carcass weight and dressing percentage of broiler chickens without negatively affecting their hematological parameters.

Keywords

Enzyme supplementation, pearl millet, broiler chickens