INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT AND OUTDOOR ACCESS ON PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND BLOOD PROFILE OF NOILER BIRDS

A total of 250-day-old Noiler chicks was procured from Chi hatchery, Ibadan. The birds were brooded in an indoor floor pen. At the end of the brooding period, four treatment group were made, consisting of fifty-five (55) birds per treatment. Each treatment was replicated into 5 with 11 birds per replicate, in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment one: deep litter (DL), trepatment two: Deep litter and environmental enrichment (DL+EE), treatment three: Deep litter and outdoor access (DL+OD) and treatment four: deep litter, outdoor access and environmental enrichment (DL+OD+EE). Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) of statistical analysis system (SAS) and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The growth performance result revealed that birds raised in DL+OD+EE group had significantly (P<0.05) outstanding growth performance. Carcass characteristics profile showed that birds in DL+OD+EE followed by DL+OD had significantly (p<0.05) better carcass and visceral profile. The haematological profile showed that birds in DL+OD+EE group had significantly (P<0.05) higher haemoglobin concentration while DL group have significantly (P<0.05) higher monocytes and lymphocytes. With the exception (P<0.05) of albumin and aminotransferase all other serum biochemical profile were not significant (P>0.05) differences. It could be concluded that: Birds raised on DL+OD+EE had the best growth performance and carcass characteristics. Enrichment and outdoor access enhances haemoglobin concentration, reduces monocytes and lymphocytes thereby regulating the serum biochemical profile of Noiler birds.