EFFECTS OF GROUNDNUT HULLS BASED DIET ON PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES IN JAPANESE QUAILS (Cortunix cortunix Japonica)

The performance and haematological profile of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed with graded levels of groundnut hulls meal (GH) was determined. Four treatments: 0% (feed with zero supplementation of GH), 2.5%, 7.5% and 10% respectively, were utilized in a completely randomized design (CRD). Sixty (60) 5 weeks old unsexed grower Japanese quails were used for the performance study. At the end of the 10 weeks of performance study, blood samples were obtained from 2 quails per treatment into plastic tubes containing the anti-coagulant ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the determination of PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, MCHC, MCH and MCV). Results revealed that feed intake of quails were similar between control and GH diets up to 7.5% inclusion. Feed intake significantly (p<0.05) decreased at 10% inclusion level. Quails on 5% GH inclusion showed significant (p<0.05) increase in final body weight. WBC significantly (p<0.05) increased with increase in GH inclusions while the lymphocytes were significantly (p