Growth and Haematological Response of Broilers Raised at High-Density Pens and Fed Germinated Papaya Seed and Chitosan Blend

Abstract

The study investigated the effects of germinated papaya seed and a mixture of germinated papaya seed and chitosan on growth and haematological parameters in broilers stocked in high-density pens from 15 to 28 days old. A total of 490 broiler chicks were distributed into four groups, including CONT (chicks receiving basal feed and raised under normal density [10 chicks per m 2 ]), HSD (chicks receiving basal feed and raised under high density [20 chicks per m 2 ]), HSD-P (chicks receiving 0.5% germinated papaya seed flour and raised under high density) and HSD-PC (chicks receiving 0.5% germinated papaya seed flour and 0.2% chitosan, and raised in high-density condition). Growth and feed intake were measured weekly, while blood was collected on day 28. Despite being lower (P < 0.05) than CONT, HSD-P and HSD-PC chickens consumed more (P < 0.05) feed than HSD chickens. Body weight and weight gain were lower (P < 0.05) in HSD compared to the CONT, HSD-P and HSD-PC groups. The European Production Higher Efficiency Factor (EPEF) tended (P = 0.06) to be higher in HSD-PC than in HSD chicks. While there was no significant effect of the treatments on complete blood counts and serum biochemical parameters, serum creatinine concentration was higher (P < 0.05) in HSD and HSD-P than in CONT and HSD-PC. In conclusion, germinated papaya seeds or a mixture of germinated papaya seeds and chitosan improved broiler production performance and kidney health while alleviating muscle protein catabolism in high-density pens from days 15 to 28.

Hematological Profile in Free-Range Chickens at The Age Of 4, 8, 12 Weeks

“…Blood functions to transport several materials from cells and the Advances in Social Humanities Research Vol 2 No. 5 May 2024 environment, transport metabolic substrates such as oxygen, glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, and some lipids, as well as resist disease and transport food juice into the tissues (Sugiharto, Widiastuti, & Wahyuni, 2021). Some factors that affect the picture of blood, according to (Delfita, 2020), include age, sex, work activity, race, nutritional status, lactation, altitude, and environmental temperature.…”