Abstract
The aim of this experiment was to investigate the impact of dietary supplementation of Piper betle essential oil on the haemato-biochemical and caecal microbial population of broiler chickens. 240 one-day old Hubbard broiler chicks were used in a 56 days trial. The birds were distributed over 4 groups consisting of 60 birds (4 replicates consisting of 15 birds each) in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 (T1) basal diet with no Piper betle essential oil, T2, T3 and T4 were fed basal diet with 200 mg, 400 mg and 600 mg/kg respectively. Feed and clean water was supplied ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Pack cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations, white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils values were higher (P˂0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 relative to T1. Total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alanine phosphatase values were significantly (P˂0.05) influenced in Piper betle essential oil supplemented diets whereas urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and bicarbonate were influenced by the treatments (P˃0.05). However, all values were within the established ranges for healthy birds. Microbial population of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp and Staphyloccocus aureus count in the caecum were higher (P˂0.05) in T1 than in other diets. Conversely, Lactobacillus spp count were greater (P˂0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 relative to T1. Results revealed that Piper betle essential oil can be supplemented up to 600 mg/kg without negatively affecting the blood profile and the general health status of broiler chickens.