Amaranthus cruentus
leaf meal (ACLM) was prepared by sun-drying freshly harvested Amaranthus cruentus leaves and milling. ACLM was thereafter included into finisher broiler diets as a protein source 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and were fed to 150 birds at the finisher phase of production for 15 days. Performance and nitrogen utilization of experimental birds were determined in the earlier part of this study. The present study examined the haematological parameters of the experimental birds which include packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hbc), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell volume (MCV) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Mean values for each parameter were similar across diets (P > 0.05) except for RBC and ESR. The total serum protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were determined for the serum and liver. All serum and liver metabolites examined had similar mean values (P > 0.05). Some carcass traits examined include the dressed weight as a percentage of the liveweight, eviscerated weight also as a percentage of the liveweight, thigh, drumstick, back, backfat, shank, wing, head and neck. Except for dressed weight and backfat, all other carcass traits measured were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Some organs weights were taken relative to the body weight. Such organs include liver, kidney, heart, spleen, pancreas, bursa, gizzard and lungs. Only heart and gizzard had significant (P < 0.05) differences in their mean values. The relative weight, length and breadth of chest and thigh muscles were also measured and were found to be statistically similar (P > 0.05). The introduction of ACLM into broiler finisher diets did not predispose the birds to any known acute general infections, malformation of any kind or diseased condition.
