Effect of different routes of vitamin/mineral premix administration on the histology, haematology, enzyme and serum biochemistry of broilers

An experiment was conducted to determine the best route of vitamin/mineral premix administration to broilers using a completely randomized design. The routes of administrations were through formulated diets, daily drinking water and daily mixing in feed ration.

Histological examination of the liver did not reveal any cellular aberration as a result of the routes of vitamin/mineral administration. Haemoglobin value was (P<0.05) highest for birds fed vitamin/mineral premix through drinking water (10 g/l). Birds fed vitamin/mineral premix through drinking water had the highest (P<0.05) PCV (33%). Birds fed vitamins through drinking water had the highest (3.4 x 10¹²/l). WBC value was highest (9.2 x 10⁹/l) for control bird (fed no vitamin/mineral premix). Broilers fed diet premixed with vitamin/mineral premix had the highest (P<0.05) serum protein value (60 g/l). Alkaline phosphatase value was highest (P<0.05) for bird fed daily ration of vitamin/mineral premix in drinking water. Serum alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase values observed were generally significantly high (P<0.05) for the control broilers than broilers on the other treatments. Broilers fed diet premixed with vitamin/mineral premix had the highest (P<0.05) value of serum phosphorus, while broilers fed daily rations of vitamin and mineral had the highest value for available phosphorus. These values were, however, similar to the values of broilers fed vitamin/mineral premix through drinking water. In conclusion, broilers can be fed vitamin/mineral premix through daily ration in feeds and drinking water for improved performance using the measured criteria in this study.