THE INFLUENCE OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TAMARINDUS INDICA PULP ON HAEMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF HUBBARD BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate haematological and serum biochemical indices of broilers following addition ofaqueous extract of Tamarindus indicapulp in drinking water. One hundred and eighty (180) day old broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four (4) treatments with three replicates each. Treatment one (T1) had zero level of aqueous extract Tamarindus indica while treatment two (T2) were given 250g of aqueous extract Tamarindus indica, Treatment three (T3) 350g ofaqueous extract Tamarindus indica and Treatment four (T4) was given 450g of aqueous extract Tamarindus indicaadministered in five (5) litres of drinking water once. Parameters measured haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total white blood cell, red blood cell, blood glucose, Aspartate amino transferase, Alanine amino transferase, Total protein, Albumin and Cholesterol. The result obtained showed Packed cell volume of broilers T1, T2 and T4 were significantly (P<0.05) different from T3. The result on serum biochemistry revealed that blood glucose, aspartate amino transferase and Total protein were significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatment groups except alanine amino transferase, albumin and cholesterol that were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the treatment groups. In conclusion, birds could be given aqueous extract of Tamarindus indicaat higher dosage (459g) to enhance performance.