Nutrient retention and blood parameters of broiler chickens fed graded levels of processed Jatropha Curcas seed meal

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of processed Jatropha Curcas Seed Meal (boiled, roasted and oven dried) on nutrient retention, haematological parameters and serum chemistry of broiler chickens. One hundred and forty-seven (147) day old broiler chickens of Arbor acres strains were randomly allotted into seven experimental diets arranged in a 3x2 factorial design. A nutrient retention trial was carried out at the seventh week of the experiment. Also, 5ml of blood was collected carefully into labeled specimen bottle for haematological (3ml) and serum studies (2ml). There were significant differences (P<0.05) on nutrient retention for dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract for 5% roasted, boiled and oven dried Jatropha included diets which recorded higher values. 10% inclusion of processed Jatropha in the diet reduced significantly (P<0.05) the nutrient retention by the broiler chickens. Also, PCV, Hb, RBC recorded higher values in birds fed 10% roasted JCSM. WBC recorded the highest (P<0.05) value at 10% boiled JCSM inclusion level. Glucose, AST, ALT also recorded higher (P<0.05) value at 5% boiled, 5% roasted and control diets respectively. Serum total protein and albumin recorded higher (P<0.05) value at 10% oven-dried, 5% roasted, 5% oven-dried and 10% oven-dried respectively. Inclusion of processed Jatropha curcas seed meal, improves the nutrient utilization of broiler chicken at 5% level of roasted JCSM. Dietary roasted and boiled JCSM at 5% level could be added to broiler chicken without any deleterious effect on the health status.