Koley, K MJYOTI, SAHU2017-10-162017-10-162014http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810033188The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of supplementation of 1.5% Cajanus indicus leaf powder in the diet of Vencobb broiler birds on growth performance, organ morphometrics, haemato–biochemical profile and immunological responses. Initially, the acute oral toxicity of Cajanus indicus leaf powder was studied in female rats by using limit test with upper limit dose of 2000 mg/kg, p.o. The acute toxicity study revealed that the oral LD50 of the compound is above 2000 mg/kg. In this experiment, a total of 126 day old broiler chicks were used. For growth performance and haemato-biochemical studies, 90 day-old broiler chicks individually weighed and were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Each group containing 3 replicates with 10 chicks each. The rest of the 36 day-old broiler chicks were individually identified by using leg bands and used for immunological studies. For cell mediated immunity study 18 chicks were divided into 3 treatment groups of 6 chicks each. Similarly, for humoral immunity study 18 chicks were divided into 3 treatment groups of 6 chicks each. Broiler birds of control group were fed basal diet only, standard group received basal feed supplemented with Bacitracin methylene disalicyclate @ 0.05%, while chicks of test group were fed basal feed supplemented with Cajanus indicus leaf powder @ 1.5%. All chicks were fed ad libitum with the respective ration for 42 days. The chicks were reared under deep litter system of housing and standard feeding and management practices. The weekly live weight, live weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of each bird of different groups were calculated upto 6th week. The immune response of different groups were also determined by DNFB skin sensitization test (CMI) and HA test (Humoral immunity). Organ morphometrics of experimental birds and sensory evaluation of broiler meat of different groups were performed on day 42 after sacrificing 6 birds of each group. The study showed that from third week onwards up to sixth week the live weight of birds of test group was significantly (p<0.05) higher than control and standard group. At the end of sixth week, the birds of test group attained highest live weight (1927.43 g) followed by standard group (1752.83g) and control group (1612.57g). The overall live weight gain of test (1875.57g) and standard group (1700.3g) was significantly higher as compared to control (1559.63g) group. In the sixth week, there is no significant difference in cumulative feed intake of the three groups. In sixth week, the FCR of standard (2.45) and test group (2.2) was lower than the control (3.08) group. The dressing percentage was highest in test group (75.92%) followed by standard group (73.20%) and control group (68.72%). Haematological studies revealed that the dietary supplementation of CLP (1.5%) in broiler birds caused significant (P<0.05) increase in haemoglobin concentration, PCV, TEC and TLC values as compared to control group. Test group showed non significant increase in blood glucose as compared to control group. Significant reduction in serum cholesterol, ALT, AST, ALP and creatinine was found in the test group than standard group. Supplementation of Cajanus indicus leaf powder in feed had significantly improved immunological response viz., serum HA titers against sheep RBC and skin thickness against DNFB. There was significant (P<0.01) increase in organ weight factor of thymus and liver in test group as compared to control and standard group. There was non-significant (P<0.05) decrease in organ weight factor of gizzard and proventriculus in test group as compared to control group. Dietary supplementation of Cajanus indicus leaf had improved the juiciness, tenderness and acceptance of meat of broiler birds. The results of this study showed that CLP (1.5%) supplementation to broiler diets had desirable effects on growth performance, hemato- biochemical profiles, immunological response, organo morphometrics and sensory evaluation of broiler meat. Therefore, supplementation of CLP @ 1.5% in broiler feed may be beneficial for improving broiler performance and gives an indication that they could be used to replace antibiotic growth promoters simultaneously avoiding the development of drug resistance associated with the use of antibiotic growth promoter in broilers.ennullThesis