STRAIN EFFECT ON HEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF BROILER CHICKS FED GRADED LEVELS OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS LEAF EXTRACT

This study examined how varying quantities of Phyllanthus amarus leaf extract (PALE) affect the hematological indicators of three broiler chicken strains: Arbor acres, Marshall, and Ross 308.The trial included 200 chicks which were randomly distributed into four treatment groups and five replicates.The experiment aimed to determine the effects of four levels (0, 15, 30, and 45mL/2L of water) of PALE on the hematological indices of three broiler strains using an appropriate design.The hematological indices studied include red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), platelet count (PCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH).Blood samples were collected from the birds via the right-wing vein using a sterilized syringe.Determinations of the hematological indices were done using standard methods.The results showed that the inclusion of PALE significantly influenced all the hematological indices in the study.There were considerable increases in the RBC, PCV, and Hb levels of the birds maintained with 30mL and 45mL PALE.Therefore, PALE is a viable natural alternative to synthetic antibiotics in broiler production and may be administered as much as 45mL without deleterious effects on the hematological indices of Arbor acres, Marshall, and Ross 308 strains.