Performance and haematoserological influence of black and alligator peppers and their composite mix in broiler chickens

Abstract

Background: The experiment was carried out to assess the influence of varying inclusions of black pepper, alligator pepper and their composite mix on the performance, haematology and serum biochemical components of broiler chickens. Methods: Two hundred and ten (210) day – old mixed sex Cobb 500 broiler chicks were allocated to diets containing 0.25 and 0.50 g/kg each of black pepper, alligator pepper and their composite mix tagged treatments: B and C, D and E, F and G representing 0.25 and 0.50 g/kg black pepper, alligator pepper and the composite mix respectively. Treatment A was the control/basal diet. Each treatment was further divided 3 times with 10 birds per representative group. The birds received the experimental diets and water ad – libitum for 6 weeks (42 days). The initial and final weight gain as well as the feed intake were captured and recorded to determine the feed efficiency. At 42nd day, 5 birds per experimental sub-group were selected randomly and blood collected from the jugular veins for determination of haematological and serum biochemical indices. Results: The total weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the broilers fed black and alligator peppers and their composite were significantly (P 0.05) influence on the haematological parameters of the birds when compared with the control. There was a significant (P