Effect of Cocoa Husk Meal Supplementation on Blood Hematological, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Color of Broiler Chickens
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Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of cocoa husk meal supplementation on blood hematology, carcass characteristics and meat color of broiler chickens. A total of 200 one-day-old mixed-sex Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design. Birds were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments consisting of 1) control (no cocoa husk) 2) cocoa husk 3) cocoa husk crude extract and 4) cocoa husk microemulsion extract with 5 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the 42-d experimental period. The results indicated that cocoa husk meal supplementation had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on blood hematological parameters; however, a decrease in the heterophil to lymphocyte (H:L) ratio was observed. In addition, dietary supplementation with cocoa husk and its extracts did not affect meat quality traits or meat color (P > 0.05). In conclusion, cocoa husk and its extracts can be included in broiler diets without adverse effects on hematological parameters, carcass characteristics, or meat quality.
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