Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A (2019)

Abstract: The aim of this experiment was to evaluate some haematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler starter fed diets having different levels of aqueous Citrus aurantium stem bark (CASR). A total of 200 - 1-day old broiler chicks (Arbo acres) were randomly distributed into 5 groups, each with 4 replicates consisting of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. The study lasted for 21 days during which clean feed and water were provided ad libitum. Treatment 1 (T1) basal diet + Ciprofloxacin 0.2 mL/litre of water, T2 (basal diet + 10 mL/litre CASB), T3 (basal diet + 20 mL/litre CASR), T4 (basal diet + 30 mL/litre CASR) and T5 (basal diet + 40 mL/litre CASR). Results on haematological parameters showed that pack cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were not significantly (P˃ 0.05) different among the treatment while white blood cell (WBC), lymphocytes and heterophils were significantly (P˂ 0.05) influenced by the treatments. Feeding birds CASR 10 mL to 40 mL/liters increased the WBC and lymphocyte counts. Total protein, albumin, globulin and creatinine values were similar across the treatments (P˃ 0.05) while cholesterol and urea values decreases as the level of CASR increased across the treatments (P˂ 0.05). It was concluded that CASR could be fed to broiler chicks up to 40 mL per liter of water without causing any deleterious effect on the blood profile of birds.