Haematological and serum biochemical indices of finisher broiler chickens fed four differently processed Roselle seed meals (<i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i>) as partial replacement for soybean meal

Abstract

The frequent changes in the prices of conventional protein feed sources have prompted the search for alternative locally feed resources with minimal competition between man and livestock without any deleterious effect on health of the animal this necessitated a 56-day feeding trial to determine the effect of feeding four differently processed Roselle seed meals as partial replacement for soybean meal on haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty (150) one -day old Arbor acre (+AA) Broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments comprising three replicates and ten chicks per replicate. The experimental diets were formulated with supplementation of differently processed Roselle seed Meal [DPRSM] in the diets of broilers at 15% inclusion levels regardless of the processing methods. The treatments were designated as T₁, T₂ T₃, T₄ & T₅ as control diet (no Roselle seed meal), fermented Roselle seed meal (FRSM), boiled Roselle seed meal (BRSM), lye Roselle seed meal (LRSM) and enzyme Roselle seed meal i.e. (enzyme + raw Roselle seed) (ERSM) respectively. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance [ANOVA] using (22) and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of same statistical package at 5% level of probability. The result revealed significant (P<0.05) differences in the heamatological parameters measured except for packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC) and mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV). Birds fed fermented, boiled, lye and enzyme Roselle seed meal had the highest (P<0.05) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells, neutrophils and eosinophil. Furthermore, the serum biochemical indices showed no difference (P>0.05) in all measured parameters except for alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate serum transaminase (AST) & alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Birds fed enzyme Roselle seed meal had the highest ALT while the least value were observed in T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. In conclusion, the four differently processed Roselle seed meal could be used to partially substitute soybean meal in broilers diet without posing any treat to health of the birds.