ABSTRACT

This experiment was carried out to investigate the Effect of dietary nutrient density on organ, carcass and heamatology and serum chemistry of broiler chicken. One hundred and twenty (120) day old chicken were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with 30 birds per diet. Each treatment was further sub-divided into 3 replicates of 10 chicks arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). They were all managed in a deep litter house with all standard routine management practices strictly observed. Data on growth parameters and feed intake were collected either daily and or weekly. The experiment lasted 49 days (7 weeks), and at the end, measurements were taken for the performance characteristics, feed intake, and feed- to gain ratio, heamatology and serum chemistry and economics of production. The results showed that birds fed diet 3 had the numerically highest (1509.84g) value which was closely followed by diet 1 and 4 (1483.27g of 1483.37g). The feed-to gain ratio showed no significant (p>O.OS) difference but ranged from 2.13 (diet 3) to 2.36 (diet 2). The feed conversion ratio decreased with increased nutrient density; but the degree of difference was slightly high when compared to other treatment groups. The dressed weight, thigh and wings showed significant (p<O.05) difference, with birds fed diet2 having the highest dressed weight (1393 .33g), while others are comparable (1 100.00g). The slaughter weight, dress percentage, breast cut, back cavity and drumstick showed no significant (p >0.05) difference. The result of the internal organ parameters showed no significant (p >0.05) difference except gizzard. Birds in diet 1 had the highest gizzard value (2.34%). The result of the heamatological parameters showed no significant (p >0.05) difference among the treatments. This showed that the different nutrient density had no negative effect on all the haematological indices rather it encourage and maintained a balance constituent of the blood. The result of the mean serum biochemical parameters in ALT, AST, protein and albumin were significantly (p<O.05) different while others were not. The random values obtained were within the acceptable standards. In conclusion, all the diets were comparable but diet 1 gave the best performance and in so recommended.