Haematological Parameters of Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Fed Forage-Based Diets in Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Blood parameters reflect the health and physiological status of poultry. This study evaluated the effect of forage-based feeding on the haematological parameters of guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) in Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria. Forty-five guinea fowls were allotted to five treatments: T1 (Brachiaria and Centrosema species), T2 (Lablab purpureus and Panicum maximum), T3 (Leucaena leucocephala and Chloris gayana) and T4 (Cassia tora), each combined with conventional feed, and T5 (control; conventional feed only). Blood was collected from the wing vein of three birds per treatment at three and six weeks. Haemoglobin, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, white blood cell (WBC) count, differential counts and platelets were determined. Data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance at each sampling time, and means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range test. Haemoglobin, red blood cells, packed cell volume, differential counts and platelets did not differ significantly among treatments at either time (P > 0.05). The WBC count differed significantly at three weeks (P < 0.001) and six weeks (P = 0.003), being lowest in the control (24.30 and 23.97 × 103/µL) and highest in birds fed Cassia tora at six weeks (131.64 × 103/µL). At both times only T2, T3 and T4 differed significantly from the control. The forage-based diets did not impair the red blood cell indices. The WBC counts in the forage groups were unusually high and need confirmation before they are interpreted as an immune benefit.