Growth Performance and Haematological Indices of Arbor Acre Broilers fed with High Wheat Bran Based Diets Supplemented with Enzymes

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to investigate the growth and haematological indices of arbor acre broilers fed with high wheat bran diets supplemented with natuzme and maxigrain enzymes. The enzymes were added at manufacturer’s recommendation of 35g to 100kg of diet; the inclusion level of wheat bran was 25%. The experimental design was a completely randomized design with four (4) experimental diets; control diet without enzyme supplementation (T1), diet supplemented with natuzyme (T2), diet supplemented with maxigrain (T3) and diet supplemented with combination of natuzyme 17.5g to 50kg and maxigrain 17.5g to 50kg (T4).  In a feeding trial that lasted 56 days, one hundred and forty-four (144) day old broilers chicks of mixed sexes of commercial strain (Arbor-acre) chicks were randomly assigned to the four treatments of three replicates each with twelve chicks per replicate. The birds were housed in an electrically heated battery cage. Experimental diet and water were supplied ad-libitum to the birds from the first day to day 56 with the birds subjected to the recommended routine vaccination programme. At the end of the feeding trial, 2 birds per replicate were randomly selected for haematological analysis. 3ml blood samples were collected from the wing web with the birds euthanatized by neck decapitation and eviscerated and weights (live and dressed) were determined. The results showed that diet without commercial enzyme supplementation showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Results obtained showed that birds fed diet supplemented with combination of natuzyme and maxigrain enzymes had better growth performance than those fed diet either supplemented with natuzyme or maxigrain. The result of haematological parameters; packed Cell Volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and white blood cells differentials (neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils and eosinophils) showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the treatment means of all parameters evaluated. It is concluded that usage of combination of natuzyme and maxigrain gave a better weight gain needed by farmer for poultry production