Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Strain Under Daily Gap-Feeding Strategy

Abstract This study investigated the effect of strain, daily gap-feeding and their interactions on haematological and serum biochemical profiles of broiler strains. The strains were: Arbor acre, Ross-308 and Cobb-500 broilers, while the gap-feeding schedule levels were: [thrice daily schedule at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM (1-1-1)], once daily (morning schedule) at 8:00 AM (1-0-0), once daily (evening schedule) at 4:00 PM (0-0-1)]. A total of 459-day-old chicks, with 153 birds per strain, were assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial experiment in a Completely Randomized Design. Each factor-combination level was replicated three times with 17 birds per pen. At 6 weeks, two birds per replicate were sampled, and analyzed for full blood count; and serum biochemical parameters in two separate sets of sample bottles for the hematological and serum biochemistry analysis. Strain influenced WBC, heterophils, lymphocyes, total cholesterol, triglycerides, AST, urea, total protein, conjugated and total bilirubin concentrations (P < 0.023–0.048). while gap-feeding influenced WBC, lymphocytes, AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, total protein, conjugated and total bilirubin (P < 0.011–0.048). Interaction of strain by Gap-feeding schedule was significant on haemoglobin, WBC, monocytes, total cholesterol and creatinine (P < 0.020–0.043). Findings suggested that late evening gap-feeding schedule (0-0-1) could be most effective feeding strategy of the three GF schedules for optimizing haematological and biochemical stability; and also minimizing health risks.