The Performance and Haematological Indices of Broiler Chickens Fed Chromium Propionate, and Vitamin E Supplemented Diets

Abstract

Aims: This study investigates the out-turn of Chromium Propionate (CrProp) and vitamin E dietary supplementation on broiler chickens' performance characteristics and haematological indices. Study Design: The completely randomised design was used for this study. Methodology: Six hundred- and forty-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments (10 birds/replicate). A basal diet was fractionated into eight equal parts and labelled diets 1 to 8. Diets 1 to 4 were supplemented with 0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg/kg CrProp, respectively. The diets 5 to 8 were supplemented with 200 mg/kg vitamin E; 0.4 mg CrProp+200 mg vitamin C; 0.8 mg CrPro+200 mg vitamin E and 1.2 mg CrPro+200 mg Vitamin E, respectively. Results: The final body weight (FBW) of the birds fed diets 2, 3, 4,7 and 8 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed the control diet and diet 5 and 6, and total weight gain (TWG) of the birds fed diets 2,4,7and 8 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed the control and diet 3,5,6. The CrProp supplementation at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mg/kg levels improved (P<0.05) the FBW, and supplementation at 0.4 and 1.2mg/kg levels improved (P<0.05) the TWG of the birds, compared to the control. The vitamin E supplementation (200mg/kg) does not improve (P>0.05) the FBW and TWG of the birds. The haematological indices showed a significant difference (P<0.05) across the diets. However, supplementation of CrProp at 0.8mg/kg affects MCV, WBC, Heterocyte and lymphocyte count, whileat 1.2mg/kg, the MCHC value was significantly affected. Including vitamin E at 200mg/kg improves the MCV and MCH. The combination of CrProp at 0.4mg/kg and 200mg/kg vitamin E increased(P<0.05) heterocyte count, while supplementation at 0.8mg/kg and 200mg/kg vitamin E improves WBC and lymphocyte counts. The packed cell volume improved significantly by CrProp supplementation at 1.2mg/kg and 200mg/kg vitamin E. Conclusion: The growth of the broiler chicken is enhanced by 1.2 mg/kg CrProp, 200 mg/kg vitamin E and a combination of CrPropand vitamin E dietary supplementations with significant changes in haematological indices of the birds.