Effects of anaerobic fermentation and lyle treated Prosopis africana seed meal on the nutritional and haematological responses of harco chicks

The effects of anaerobic fermentation and lyle treatments on the antinutritional, nutritional and haematological factors in Prosopis africana seed meal (PS) were studied on Black Harco pullet day old chicks. It was observed that the diets containing 10-30% untreated PSM elicited significant (P <0.05) aberrations in the blood cells, and derangement in the total proteins, serum albumin, blood urea and nitrogen levels of the chicks, with that containing 30% showing the highest effects. However, diets containing 30% treated PSM did not indicate any of the aberrations and derangement observed with the untreated PSM containing diets but showed identical positive nutritional qualities with control maize-based diet. These observations suggest that when appropriately subjected to anaerobic fermentation and lyle treatments, Prosopis africana seed meal could compliment maize in chick diets with favourable results.