Dracaena Mannii Leaf Meal Supplementation In Broiler Chicks: Effects On Growth Performance, Haematology And Serum Biochemical Indices

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been associated with many activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, osmoregulatory, immune-modulating, hepato-protective and anti-fungal properties due to the presence of phytochemicals which are eco-friendly and effective. This experiment was carried out to examine the dietary supplementation of Dracaena mannii leaf meal on the growth performance and some haematological and biochemical indices of broiler chicks. 200 one-day old Hubbard broiler chicks (mixed sex) were used in a 28 days’ experiment. Chicks were distributed over four groups of 50 birds with 5 replicates containing 10 birds each. Experimental diet was adequate in all nutrients (NRC, 1994). Birds in group 1: corn-soya meal basal diet without Dracaena mannii leaf (DMF), group 2, 3 and 4 were given basal diet with DMF at 200 g, 400 g and 600 g respectively. Phytochemical evaluation of DMF revealed the presence of flavonoids (1005.1 mg/g), phenols (842.9 mg/g), tannins (341.2 mg/g), alkaloids (211.7 mg/g), steroids (133.1 mg/g) and saponins (21.70 mg/g) in order of abundance. The findings also revealed that average daily were similar (P>0.05) in diet 3 and 4 but significantly higher (P<0.05) than other groups. Conversely, average daily feed intake of birds fed diet 1 were similar (P>0.05) to those given diet 2 but significantly (P<0.05) greater than the other groups. No mortality was recorded in all the groups (P>0.05). Pack cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, leucocytes and monocytes counts were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the diets. However, values were within the optimum range for healthy birds. Similarly, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were significantly different (P<0.05) among the groups excepts for creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase values (P>0.05). The researcher came to the conclusion that dietary supplementation of DMF up to 600 g can optimize the performance of broilers without causing any negative effect on their health status.