BLOOD PROFILE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKENS TO SWEET ORANGE PEEL SUPPLEMENTED WATER IN A HOT HUMID ENVIRONMENT

This study investigated the effect of sweet orange peel powder (SOPP) supplemented water on the rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and blood profile of broiler chickens raised in a hot humid environment. Day-old Ross broiler chickens (n = 96) were randomly allotted into four treatment groups: Control – without SOPP, 2 g SOPP, 4 g SOPP and 6 g SOPP per litre of water. Three replications of eight birds each per treatment in a completely randomized design were performed. Rectal temperatures were comparable (p > 0.05) among the treatments across the weeks except the third week. Birds on 6 g SOPP had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher value (41.32 °C) compared with birds in the control (40.90 °C) and 4 g SOPP (41.00 °C). Respiratory rate was not significantly different (p > 0.05) among treatments across the weeks. Significant (p < 0.05) variations were observed in the red blood cell (RBC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values at week 4. However, at week 7, heterophil (H), lymphocyte (L), heterophil:lymphocyte ratio (H/L) and RBC were significantly (p < 0.05) different among the treatments. The H/L values were 0.42, 0.40, 0.38 and 0.36 for Control, 2 g SOPP, 4 g SOPP and 6 g SOPP, respectively. Serum biochemical indices examined were comparable among the treatment groups across the weeks. Inclusion of SOPP into drinking water of broiler birds did not adversely affect the birds as observed in the RT, RR and blood profile. Rather it helps the birds in coping with the environmental stress, as observed in the reduced H/L.