Variations in haematological and serum indices of finishing broiler birds fed neem (Azadirachta indica) and garlic (Allium sativum) as phytobiotics

One hundred and eighty day-old Cobb broiler chickens were used to evaluate the effects of feeding diets containing neem leaf meal (NLM), garlic meal (GM) and their combination (NLM + GM) on haematological and serum indices of finishing broiler. The birds were divided into twelve treatment groups of fifteen chicks with three replicate of five chicks each. The diets contained NLM, GM and NLM + GM at four levels of inclusion; 0mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 1500mg/kg. The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 4 factorial layout in a completely randomized design (CRD). The inclusion of NLM, GM and NLM + GM did not significantly (P>0.05) influence haematological parameters. Different levels of inclusion significantly (P<0.05) influenced absolute haematological parameters. (P<0.05) interaction of additives and levels of inclusion were observed in most of the haematological indices studied. NLM+GM at 500mg/kg showed the highest PCV value. Highest Hb and RBC values were observed in birds fed GM at 1500mg/kg. Different levels of inclusion significantly (P<0.05) influenced total protein and albumin levels. Lowest (P<0.05) amounts of total protein (8.88mg/dl) and albumin (2.20mg/dl) were recorded in birds fed 1500mg/kg inclusion levels compared to those birds on 0mg/kg inclusion level. Additives and levels of inclusion (P<0.05) affected cholesterol value of finishing broiler birds. There was a reduction in cholesterol (93.38mg/dl) and HDL (52.57mg/dl) values of birds fed GM than those fed NLM + GM. Significant (P<0.05) interactions were observed in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) values. It was evident that feeding of the additives at different levels affected the blood picture of the finishing broiler chickens.Keywords: Neem, garlic, finishing broilers, serum, haematolog