BLOOD PROFILE AND INTESTINAL MICROBES OF PULLET CHICKENS FED PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI LEAF MEAL

Abstract

The use of chemical growth promoters as additives despite their adverse effects on animal and public health has compelled researchers to source natural alternatives such as plant-based or phytogenic feed additives. This study assessed the impact of Phyllanthus niruri leaf meal (PNLM) on the caecum microbial population and layers chicken's blood profile during the growth stage. The collected P. niruri leaves were milled after being air-dried at room temperature (25^oC) for ten days and then added to the pullets' diet. 360 pullets were randomly allotted to 6 treatments (T) of 4 replicates each in a completely randomised manner with 60 and 15 birds per treatment and replicate respectively. Treatments (T) 1 to T6 had 0%, 0% +antibiotics, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% inclusion levels of PNLM respectively. Some haematological and serum parameters including caecum microbial populations were investigated using standard procedures. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA while significant differences were determined using Duncan’s multiple range test in SAS (P<0.05). The inclusion of PNLM significantly (P<0.05) influence the white blood cell, Lymphocyte and creatinine. The highest WBC (17.23 ± 4.50 x 10⁹/L) and creatinine values (4.63 ± 2.64 mg/dL) were recorded in T2. T5 had the highest Lymphocyte value (70.50 %). Inclusion of PNLM also improved beneficial bacteria in the caecum especially Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. The study concluded that PNLM enhanced the beneficial microbes of the caecum without adverse effects on the blood profile.