Growth performance, haematological parameters and serum biochemistry of broiler starter chicks fed sesame (Sesamum indicum. L) seed meal diets

Abstract

The inadequacy of protein in human diets in developing countries especially Nigeria is as a result of high cost of animal feeds. Inadequate protein intake as recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization is more rampant in developing countries which has adverse effects on their citizens. Today, the world is suffering from a serious shortage of feed ingredients such as soya beans because of rapid competition and increase in human population. Therefore, provision must be made to solve the problem of increase in population and food availability quickly. The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, haematological parameters and serum biochemistry of broiler starter chicks fed varying levels of sesame seed meal (SSM) diets. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) Anak-2000, 1-day-old chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% level of inclusion of sesame meal in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice with ten birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design experiment. The experiment lasted for four weeks. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. There was significant difference (P<0.01) in the average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain with the highest being 73.35 g/b/d and 50.45 g/b/d respectively observed in T5, which also had the least feed conversion ratio. Results on haematological indices also revealed that there were statistically significant (P<0.05) differences across the dietary treatment means with T5 having higher values of 31.20%, 2.84 ×106????l, 9.43 g/dl, 31.60 Pg, 107.41 fl and 28. 13 g/dl for PCV, RBC, Hb, MCH, MCV and MCHC respectively. Serum biochemistry parameters of the experimental animals were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the varying dietary treatment levels. The total protein, plasma protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine and urea decreased with increasing levels of inclusion of inclusion from T1 to T5. Treatment containing 100% replacement of soya bean meal with SSM had higher average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, better feed conversion ratio and better haematological parameters. It can be concluded that sesame seed meal diet has the potential to completely replace soya bean meal at 100% inclusion level in the diet of broiler starter chicks without any detrimental effect on growth performance, haematological parameters and serum biochemistry