HAEMO-BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES, PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED GRADED LEVELS OF KALGOPOD MEAL (Piliostigma thonningii)

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Kalgopod meal (KPM) on haemo-biochemical responses, performance and carcass characteristics of broiler finisher. Completely randomized design was used with four treatment groups replicated six times for four weeks designated as: 0, 5, 7, 5 and 10% KPM. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The results were analyzed using GraphPad InStat Statistical Package (GraphPad InStat®, version 3.05, 32 bits for Win 95/NT, GraphPad Software Inc., 2000). The results indicated that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences across haemo-biochemical parametres considered PCV (28.66-34.00 %), Hb (7.73-10.00 g/dL), RBC (2.33-3.46 ×1012), WBC (20.00-25.00×109), MCV (110.33-133.33 fl), MCH (24.46-43.56 pg), ALT (13.35-21.00 U/L), AST (157.33-168.67/UL), ALP (33.33-55,66), Glucose (17.33-21.33 mmol/L), Total protein (26.33-36.00 mmol/L), Creatinine (0.12-0.23 µmol/L) and Cholesterol (P<0.05) (156.00-170.00 mmo/L). Altogether, were within the normal range for both blood parameters. In growth performance parameters, there were significant differences (p<0.05) across treatment groups, in fact, treatment four with higher inclusion level of test ingredient was found to have been well utilized by the birds. Carcass analyses illuminated that significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in slaughter weight and dressing percentage while neck, wings, breast, back, thigh, drum stick and shank. Inclusion of KPM in poultry feeding had no adverse effect on performance and carcass characteristics. Thus, implied that of kalgopod meal can be used in broiler diet as it has no negative effect on haemo-biochemical indices therefore, heath status may not be impaired.