ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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

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 < 0.01) effect on PCV, RBC and haemoglobin concentration (HB). Birds on honey treatment had higher PCV and RBC than the CONTROL. For HB, the same pattern was observed except that C0H and C15H were similar. Birds on C5H recorded highest values for the 3 parameters respectively. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, leukocyte differentials and H:L ratio, except for oesinophil (EOS; p < 0.05). C5H birds recorded higher EOS than C10H and C15H, but not significantly different from C0H. Total protein, albumin, globulin, uric acid, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were not significantly (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.