Effect of Honey on Haematology, Plasma Biochemistry and Liver Enzymes in Broiler Chickens Administered Dietary Corticosterone

Abstract

Effect of honey on blood parameters in broiler chickens fed diet containing corticosterone (CORT) was examined. Arbor acres broiler chickens aged 28d were allotted to four groups. The birds received 30mg CORT/kg feed plus either 0 (C0H), 5 (C5H), 10 (C10H) or 15ml honey/l drinking water (C15H) for 7d. Blood sampling was carried out in five birds per treatment. Honey had significant (p 0.05) differences in MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, leukocyte differentials and H:L ratio, except for oesinophil (EOS; p 0.05) affected by treatment. Honey in drinking water of could be of help in improving the welfare of broiler chickens during stress episode by increasing the PCV, RBC and HB.

Keywords

• anti-oxidant
• honey
• blood
• poultry
• tropics