Hematology and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chicks Fed Soybean (<em>Glycine Max</em>) Subjected to Varying Toasting Times

Abstract

Hematology and serum biochemical responses of broiler chicks to soybean subjected to varying toasting periods were assessed using ninety 4-week old broilers. In the 28-days trial, broilers were assigned to soybean subjected to five toasting times of 0 minutes as control, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes as treatment 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively and incorporated into the treatment diets. Each treatment was replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were served ad libitum to the birds. Results showed that most hematological and serum biochemical parameters differed significantly (p<0.05) between birds in various treatments. However, no trend was observed in most of the results. Packed cell volume of the birds on T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄, which were 25.33, 26.67, 25.00 and 27.33% respectively were below the normal range of 30-40% except those of T₅, which had 30.67%. A similar trend was observed for Hb values of the birds. The serum biochemical parameters also varied (p<0.05) between treatments. Cholesterol level reduced with increasing toasting time of the soybean. It is hereby recommended that 15 minutes-toasting time of dietary soybean at 50⁰C is optimal broilers.

Keywords: Broilers, Soybean, toasting time, hematology, serum chemistry