HEAMATOLOGICAL AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF BROILERS FED INORGANIC AND CHELATED TRACE MINERALS

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplemental inorganic and chelated Cu, Zn and Mn on haematology and serum biochemistry of broiler chickens. A 42-day feeding trial was conducted using a total of three hundred Arbor Acre broiler chickens. The birds were allocated to five dietary groups. Each group had six replicates with ten birds each. The treatments were control (basal diet), 100% inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) supplemental level (15, 100, 100 mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Mn respectively), 50% ITMs supplemental level (7.5, 50, 50 mg/kg of Cu, Zn, Mn), 50% Chelated trace minerals (CTMs) supplemental level (7.5, 50, 50 mg/kg of Cu, Zn, Mn) and 25% CTM supplemental level (3.75, 25, 25 mg/kg of Cu, Zn,
Mn, in that order). Data collected were subjected to one–way Analysis of Variance using a Completely Randomised Design. A lower (p<0.05) white blood cell count (11.07x106/mm3) and an improved (p<0.05) red blood cell count (13x106/mm3) was observed for the group fed 50% CTM supplemental level. The group fed 50% supplemental level of CTM had the highest (p<0.05) total protein (73.2 g/L), albumin (41.20 g/L) and globulin (32 g/L) in serum as compared to the other groups. The serum Cu, Zn and Mn were significantly higher (p<0.05) for the group fed 25% supplemental diet of CTM. The study concluded that trace minerals supplementation increased serum trace minerals of broiler chicken.