Biological Responses of Noiler Chickens Fed Unconventional Diets Containing Rumen Fermentate-Enhanced Wheat Bran
This study was conducted to evaluate the Biological Responses of Noiler Chickens Fed Unconventional Diets Containing Bovine Rumen Fermentate-Enhanced Wheat Bran (BRF-FWB) as a partial replacement for conventional feed ingredients. The primary objective was to assess the impact of BRF-FWB on physiological and metabolic markers of health and to determine its suitability as a functional feed additive in climate-smart poultry production systems. A total of 120 day-old Noiler chickens were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of BRF-FWB inclusion at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively, with each treatment replicated three times and ten birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for six weeks. Haematological indices including haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined at the end of the experiment. Serum biochemical parameters such as total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine were also analyzed using standard procedures. The results indicated that Hb concentration, PCV, and RBC count were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in birds fed the 15% BRF-FWB diet, suggesting improved erythropoiesis and oxygen-carrying capacity. WBC counts increased progressively with increasing levels of BRF-FWB, with the highest value observed in the 15% inclusion group, indicating enhanced immune function. MCH and MCHC values were also significantly improved in the 5–15% inclusion groups, reflecting better red cell integrity and haemoglobin content. Although MCV values did not differ significantly across treatments, birds fed BRF-FWB diets exhibited numerically higher values compared to the control. Serum biochemical indices showed that total protein, albumin, and globulin levels were significantly elevated in birds fed BRF-FWB diets, particularly at 10% and 15% inclusion levels, indicating improved protein metabolism and immune competence. Liver enzymes (ALT and AST) remained within physiological limits across all treatment groups, suggesting no adverse effect on hepatic function. Creatinine levels were significantly lower in BRF-FWB-fed groups compared to the control, indicating efficient renal clearance and absence of nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of BRF-FWB up to 15% improved the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Noiler chickens, signifying enhanced health status, immune response, and metabolic function. These findings demonstrate the potential of BRF-FWB as a cost-effective, eco-friendly, and nutritionally beneficial alternative ingredient in poultry nutrition. Its application can contribute to sustainable poultry production by recycling abattoir by-products and reducing reliance on conventional feed ingredients. Further research may focus on long-term effects, gut microbiota modulation, and carcass characteristics to fully explore its functional attributes.
Keywords: Noiler chickens, bovine rumen filtrate, fermented wheat bran, haematology, serum biochemistry, alternative feed ingredient, poultry nutrition.
