Effects of Dietary White Ginger (Mondia Whitei) Root Meal on Growth Performance and Haemato-Biochemical Indices of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted using 150-day-old broiler chicks to evaluate the effects of dietary white ginger root meal (WGRM) on growth performance, haemato-biochemical parameters. The birds were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments, consisting of 30 birds with three replicates of 10 birds, in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The experimental diets were supplemented with WGRM at 0 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg, 2.0 g/kg, and 2.5 g/kg, respectively. Inclusion of WGRM had no significant (P>0.05) effect on most growth performance parameters except for FCR, which was significantly better (P<0.05) in birds fed 2.0 g/kg 2.67±0.60 and poorer 3.59±0.55 at 2.5 g/kg inclusion levels. PCV, haemoglobin concentration, and RBC count were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds receiving 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg WGRM than those on the other treatments. Birds fed diets with 2.5 g/kg WGRM recorded a significantly (P<0.05) lower WBC count than those fed 1.5 and 2.0 g/kg diets. Lymphocyte count was significantly (P<0.05) higher at 1.0 g/kg WGRM inclusion. Monocyte count was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in birds fed the control and 2.0 g/kg diets. Serum total protein, triglyceride, and VLDL concentrations increased with dietary inclusion of WGRM, with the highest (P<0.05) values observed at 2.5 g/kg. Birds fed 1.0 g/kg and 2.5g/kg WGM exhibited the highest (P<0.05) globulin concentration (1.80±0.40g/dl and 2.50±0.40). Alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly (P<0.05) elevated in birds receiving 2.5 g/kg WGRM.