Author/Authors :
Bassey، Etuk E. نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria , , Clifford، Ugwu Chidozie نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria , , James، Okey do N. نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria , , Onyemaechi ، Ebony Barbington نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria , , Ikeli، Udedibie Adive Boniface نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria ,
Abstract :
Turkeys are of considerable economic and social significance to the traditional life of Nigerians
but its production has been hampered by high cost of feedstuff. This study was carried out to
determine the haematological parameters and serum chemistry of local grower turkeys fed
Samsorg 17 and ICSV 400 sorghum varieties as replacement for higher cost maize in their diet.
One hundred six weeks old grower turkeys were divided into nine groups of three replicates each
on sex and weight equalization basis. The groups were randomly assigned to nine experimental
turkey grower diets containing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement level of maize with each of
samsorg17 and ICSV400 varieties of sorghum. The feeding trial lasted 42 days. Six turkeys were
randomly selected on trial day 38, blood samples were collected for haematological and serum
biochemical analysis. RBC, HB, WBC and PCV were determined while MCHC, MCH AND
MCV were calculated using appropriate formulae. Serum protein (albumin and globulin), sugar,
cholesterol, urea, minerals and enzymes were also determined. The result indicated that only WBC
count was higher and the serum sugar and creatinine was lower than normal range. The ALP level
declined while SGPT increased with increasing dietary sorghum but SGOT followed no pattern.
There was no observed adverse effect on the blood parameters of experimental grower turkeys fed
these sorghum varieties and is therefore recommended as replacement for maize in their diets.
