Effects of <i>Gmelina arborea</i> roxb leaves on haematological indices of <i>Coturnix Coturnix Japonica Temmick</i>

Abstract

This study was a thirty six weeks feeding trial to determine the effect of inclusion of varying levels of Gmelina arborea leaf meal (GALM) on  haematological indices of two weeks old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Ninty six birds were allocated to four dietary treatment groups replicated thrice with 8 birds per replicate in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments A – D were fed A 0 g/kg (control), B 50 g/kg, C 100 g/kg and D 150 g/kg of GALM. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Haematological indices were assayed using standard protocols and  data collected subjected to ANOVA. There were significant difference (p<0.05) in haemogblobin concentration (Hb) and white blood cell (WBC) count, while no significant difference (p>0.05) were observed in pack cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) count. The haematological values observed in the study fell within values of Hb (12.30 g/dl), PCV (37 %), and ranges of RBC (2.30 – 3.86 x 106 μl), WBC (20 – 40 x 106 μl) recommended
for normal healthy quails. The birds fed GALM remain clinically normal throughout the period of the experiment and thus the quantity of GALM  used in this study can be recommended for inclusion in Japanese quail diets for shorter duration

Keywords: Gmelina arborea, Haematological indices, Coturnix coturnix japonica, Japanese quails