Haematological Parameters and on Serum Biochemical Indices of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Garlic and Turmeric Powder Mixture

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of garlic (Allium sativum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder mixture at ratio 1:1 on the performance of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) day old (Arbor Acres) broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments in a completely randomised design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated three times, with ten birds per replicate. A basal diet was formulated to meet the nutrient requirement of broiler chicks and served as the control diet (treatment 1). Birds on treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5 were fed the basal diet with garlic and turmeric powder mixture at 0.2g, 0.4g, 0.6g, and 0.8g inclusion levels, respectively. Feed and clean water were provided ad-libitum throughout the experimental period, which lasted for 56 days. Data were collected on blood indices. Results of phytochemical composition show alkaloids (6.22%), terpenoids (5.78%), flavonoids (12.12%), phenols (4.67%), saponins (3.09%), oxalates (0.21%), and tannins (7.88%). The result of the haematological parameters indicated a significant difference (P<0.05) in packed cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The white blood cells, monocytes, and lymphocytes indicate significant (P<0.05) differences in dietary treatments. The serum biochemistry result showed significant (p<0.05) difference in all the parameter measured. Creatinine (mg/dl) indicated a higher significant (P<0.05) effect in 0.8 g than other dietary treatments. However, cholesterol (mg/dl), alanine phosphatase (µ/L), aspartate aminotransferase (µ/L), and alanine transaminase (µ/L) indicated a higher significant effect (P<0.05) in the control diet. Hence the results obtained from this research can be recommended for the inclusion of a garlic and turmeric powder mixture up to 0.8 g that improves blood indices and overall health of the chickens; this implies that their use can be recommended to farmers in place of antibiotics and growth promoters.