Haematology and serum chemistry of finisher broiler chickens fed maize-cassava diet supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the haematology and serum chemistry of broiler chickens fed maizecassava diets supplemented with methionine and inorganic sulphur. A total of 270 day-old broiler chicks
were randomly assigned to nine treatment groups of 30 birds making 10 birds per replicate group. Starter
and finisher diets were formulated and fed for a period of 56 days. Dietary treatments were subjected to
Completely Randomized Design in a 3 × 3 factorial experimental layout. Birds were fed diets supplemented
with 0, 125, 250 mg/kg DL-methionine and 0, 125, 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur from CuSO4. Results of
haematological parameters showed no significant (p>0.05) difference among the treatment groups except
the packed cell volume. The higher value of 31.33% was obtained for PCV in the birds fed diet
supplemented with 0mg/kg DL-methionine + 125mg/kg CuSO4. Values recorded for biochemical indices
varied significantly (p<0.05) among dietary treatments for total protein, globulin and cholesterol. High
significant (p<0.05) values of 50.80 g/l and 29.85 g/l were obtained for total protein and globulin in the
birds fed diet supplemented with 125 mg/kg DL-methionine + 250 mg/kg CuSO4. Lower (p<0.05) value of
155.81mg/dl was recorded for cholesterol in birds fed diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg DL-methionine +
250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur. Based on the results obtained for haematological and serum chemistry
parameters, it was concluded that supplementation of DL-methionine and inorganic sulphur in broiler diet
at 125 mg/kg DL-methionine + 250 mg/kg inorganic sulphur level of supplementation improved dietary
protein and had no inimical effect.