Effect of dietary supplementation of seaweeds on growth and blood profiles of TANUVAS Aseel chicken

The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary effects of two seaweeds (Sargassum wightii and Gracilaria corticata) on different physiological parameters of TANUVAS Aseel chicken. A total of 30 TANUVAS Aseel chicks, day old were allocated into three groups (Each with 10 chicks) viz., one control group (C1) and two treatment groups (T1 and T2). The control group (C1) were fed with commercial grower feed alone and the treatment group (T1) had control diet with 5% Sargassum wightii and the treatment group (T2) had control diet mixed with 5% Gracilaria corticata. Parameters were recorded for a continuous period of 16 weeks in 4 weeks interval. The growth performance was found to be non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) during 0 day of feed trials and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th week of feed trails. Haematological parameters during 12th and 16th week of feed trials showed non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference exist in lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil count and a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) difference exist in platelets count between the control (C1) and treatment groups (T1 and T2). Serum biochemical parameters during 12th and 16th week of feed trials showed non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference in Uric acid, creatinine, ALT, calcium and cholesterol level and a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) difference in Total protein, albumin, AST, glucose, triglycerides, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and chloride level between the control (C1) and treatment groups (T1 and T2). However non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) difference exists in globulin and sodium content only during 16th week of feed trials. It could be noted that 5% inclusion of red seaweed, Gracilaria corticata in commercial grower feed as a feed supplement to TANUVAS Aseel chicks had a better body weight gain than 5% inclusion level of brown seaweed, Sargassum wightii in commercial grower feed. Based on the haematological and serum biochemical analysis, the supplementation of 5% inclusion level of seaweeds in this trial did not pose any threat to the physiological well-being of TANUVAS Aseel chicken.