Influence of barseem incorporation in the conventional ration on body weight and immunocompetence traits of turkey

Seventy-six adult (30 week) black turkey females from same hatch were randomly distributed into two groups, with two replicates, and fed for 100 days with conventional turkey layer ration replaced by green barseem at 0 and 35% levels on dry matter basis. The body weight were recorded and immunocompetent traits viz, response to SRBC, serum lysozyme level, MER and MES were analyzed at the end of the experiment. The two groups did not differ significantly (P<0.05) in their body weights, serum lysozyme level and antibody response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), Mercaptoethanol resistant (MER) and sensitive (MES) antibodies on 5 dpi (days post immunization): The body weights and serum lysozyme level averaged 2.395±0.032 kg and 1.838±0.075 μg/ml in the barseem fed and 2.431±0.035 Kg and 1.764±0.072 μg/ml in the control groups, respectively. The overall mean values of HA titre, MER and MES antibodies titres were 7.983±0.257, 0.743±0.101 and 7.030±0.237, respectively. The corresponding titres at 10 dpi were 9.694±0.248, 4.684±0.211 and 4.855±0.176. respectively. The titers in both the groups did not differ significantly at 10 dpi also. However, the titers at 10 dpi were significantly higher than those at 5 dpi except for MES, where it was reverse. Hence, green barseemmay be incorporated safely up to 35% in the conventional laying ration without any adverse effect on adult body weight and humoral immune responses in turkey.