Serum Profile and Growth Indices of Broilers Fed Diets Containing Alkaline Treated Soyabeans

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of diets containing alkali treated soyabeans on serum profile and growth indices of broiler chickens using 240 days-old Anak broilers that were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups of three replicates each. Test soyabeans seeds were treatment by soaking in water, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3), Potassium carbonate (K^COg) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) prior to incorporation into the diets; these forms experimental diets DI, D2, D3 and D4. Significant (p<0.05) variations in the serum and blood parameters measured were observed, highest mean values recorded were in DI for urea, creatine and hemoglobin while cholesterol had the highest value in D3. No significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in the packed cell volume of the treatment groups. Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Growth Efficiency (GE) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significantly (p<0.05) affected by alkali treatment at both the starter and finisher phases. Similarly, Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) were significantly affected by dietary treatments (p>0.05) at both the starter and finisher phases. D3 showed better serum profile and growth indices in this study.