Serology of laying chickens fed enzyme supplemented browse legume leaf meal

Abstract

Sixty (60) laying hens (Rhode Island Red strains) were used in monitoring blood profile as influenced by Gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) supplemented with Maxigrain^® enzyme. The birds were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments of 12 birds per treatment; each treatment was replicated into 4 groups with 3 birds per replicate. Five experimental diets were formulated; the test ingredient being Gliricidia sepium. Four of the diets were formulated with enzyme supplementation i.e. diets B, C, D, E while diet A was without enzyme supplementation. Gliricidia sepium leaf meal was included at 5%, 7.5% and 10% replacement of dietary soya bean meal in diets C, D and E respectively. The feeding trial lasted for twelve weeks after which blood indices were monitored  using completely randomised design .Diet C had more(P<0.05)Pcv ,Hb,Rbc,Wbc , Rbc and minerals than control, while Neutrophils and lymphocytes  were similar(P>0.05) among all the treatments .Also, diet C had higher(P<0.05) Glucose and Protein than the control but  all other metabolites were lower (P<0.05) in  diet C than control. Therefore GLM (5%) with Maxigrain^® can be used with satisfactory result in terms   animal performance and welfare.