Dietary Supplementation with Phytogenic Blend on Haematology, Serum Biochemistry, Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A 42-day study was conducted with broiler to determine the blend effects of Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale, Azadirachta indica, Cymbopogon citratus and Citrus sinensis on blood indices, carcass characteristics and meat quality. 240 day old chicks were assigned to 6 treatments with 5 replicates: basal diet (T1), basal diet plus oxytetracycline (T2), 5g (T3), 10g (T4), 15g (T5) and 20g (T6) PB respectively. Data on blood parameters, carcass and meat quality were obtained and analysed with ANOVA. Starter phase, packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (Hb) and low density lipoprotein decreased (P <0.05) while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase increased as PB increased. Antibiotic group recorded higher (P <0.05) white blood cell (WBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration but lowest eosinophils . Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were higher (P <0.05) in T1. Finisher phase, addition of PB decreased (P <0.05) PCV, RBC and Hb with the least value recorded for antibiotic group. Basophil increased (P <0.05) at higher level of PB while cholesterol, MCV and MCH reduced. Triglyceride and very low-density lipoprotein were least (P <0.05) in antibiotic group, others were similar. High-density lipoprotein and ALT were higher in 10g/kg group. Breast meat, spleen and kidney were higher (P <0.05) in the antibiotic group, others were similar. Percentage water absorption and refrigeration loss were higher (P <0.05) in 5g/kg and 10g/kg respectively. It was concluded that the PB did not improve carcass yield and meat quality however, the birds were healthty.