Haematological profiles of indigenous Boschveld chickens on probiotic-yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) supplementation

Haematological characteristics of Boschveld chickens fed baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)–supplemented diets were investigated. Six hundred, day-old unsexed Boschveld chicks were divided into six equal groups and each group replicated 5 times. Birds aged 1 to 49 days were offered starter diet, whereas those aged 50–91days were offered grower diet. Birds in the control group (T1) received basal diet without yeast, while those in groups T2, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 were offered basal diet supplemented with yeast at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 g/kg feed, respectively, in a completely randomised design. Blood samples for haematological analyses were obtained from 2 birds in each replicate and data generated analysed statistically. Results found that yeast was high in protein and phosphorus but low in crude fibre. Results also indicated that birds in groups T4, T5 and T6 had improved (P < 0.05) packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell volume (MCV) compared to birds in the T1 group. There is evidence of strong and positive linear relationships between probiotic-yeast levels and PCV, Hb and MCV in Boschveld chickens. In conclusion, yeast is a rich source of protein and phosphorus and can be added to the diets of Boschveld chickens at an inclusion rate of 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 g/kg feed for improved haematological variables.