







































Volume 03 Issue 06-2023 4 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Agriculture And Horticulture Innovations  
(ISSN – 2771-2559) 
VOLUME 03 ISSUE 06     Pages: 04-07 

SJIF IMPACT FACTOR (2021: 5. 705) (2022: 5. 705) (2023: 7. 471)  
OCLC – 1290679216   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

Servi 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ABSTRACT 

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of enzyme supplementation in pearl millet-based diets on the carcass and 

hematological parameters of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned 

to four dietary treatments, each with three replicates. The dietary treatments included a control diet without enzyme 

supplementation, and three diets containing 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% enzyme supplementation, respectively. The 

experimental period lasted for 35 days, and at the end of the study, 12 birds from each treatment were randomly 

selected for carcass analysis. Blood samples were also collected from the birds to assess their hematological 

parameters. Results showed that enzyme supplementation at 0.10% and 0.15% significantly (p < 0.05) increased the 

carcass weight and dressing percentage of the broiler chickens. The hematological parameters, including red blood 

cell count, white blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and mean corpuscular volume, were not significantly 

affected by the enzyme supplementation. In conclusion, enzyme supplementation in pearl millet-based diets can 

improve the carcass weight and dressing percentage of broiler chickens without negatively affecting their 

hematological parameters. 

 

KEYWORDS 

Enzyme supplementation, pearl millet, broiler chickens, carcass, hematological parameters. 

  Research Article 

 

EFFECTS OF ENZYME SUPPLEMENTED PEARL MILLET DIETS ON 

CARCASS AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF BROILER CHICKENS 
 

Submission Date: May 26, 2023, Accepted Date:  May 31, 2023,  

Published Date: June 05, 2023  

Crossref doi: https://doi.org/10.37547/ajahi/Volume03Issue06-02 

 

 

John Ejembi Edache 
Department of Animal Production, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Nigeria 

 

Stephen Inyam 
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria 

Journal Website: 

https://theusajournals.

com/index.php/ajahi 

Copyright: Original 

content from this work 

may be used under the 

terms of the creative 

commons attributes 

4.0 licence. 

 

https://theusajournals.com
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajahi/Volume03Issue06-02
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajahi/Volume03Issue06-02


Volume 03 Issue 06-2023 5 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Agriculture And Horticulture Innovations  
(ISSN – 2771-2559) 
VOLUME 03 ISSUE 06     Pages: 04-07 

SJIF IMPACT FACTOR (2021: 5. 705) (2022: 5. 705) (2023: 7. 471)  
OCLC – 1290679216   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

Servi 

 

INTRODUCTION 

Pearl millet is a commonly used feed ingredient in 

broiler diets due to its high nutritional value and 

relatively low cost. However, the presence of anti-

nutritional factors such as phytic acid and non-starch 

polysaccharides (NSPs) can limit the availability of 

nutrients to broiler chickens, leading to reduced 

growth performance and carcass quality. Enzyme 

supplementation has been proposed as a means of 

overcoming the negative effects of these anti-

nutritional factors. The aim of this study is to 

investigate the effects of enzyme-supplemented pearl 

millet diets on the carcass and hematological 

parameters of broiler chickens. Pearl millet is a widely 

cultivated and consumed cereal grain in many parts of 

the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. It is known to 

have high nutritional value and is considered an 

excellent source of energy, protein, vitamins, and 

minerals for poultry. However, pearl millet-based diets 

may contain high levels of non-starch polysaccharides 

(NSP), which can limit nutrient digestion and 

absorption in broiler chickens, leading to reduced 

growth performance and carcass quality. To overcome 

this challenge, enzyme supplementation has been 

proposed as a viable strategy to improve nutrient 

utilization and performance in broiler chickens fed 

pearl millet-based diets. 

Enzymes are biological catalysts that can enhance 

nutrient digestion by breaking down complex 

carbohydrates and proteins into simpler forms that are 

more readily available for absorption. Previous studies 

have shown that enzyme supplementation can 

improve growth performance, nutrient utilization, and 

carcass quality of broiler chickens fed NSP-rich diets. 

However, limited information is available on the 

effects of enzyme supplementation in pearl millet-

based diets on the carcass and hematological   

parameters of broiler chickens. 

Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate 

the effects of enzyme supplementation in pearl millet-

based diets on the carcass and hematological 

parameters of broiler chickens. The findings of this 

study could provide valuable insights into the use of 

enzyme supplementation as a means of improving the 

nutrient utilization and performance of broiler 

chickens fed pearl millet-based diets. 

METHOD 

A total of 120day-old broiler chicks was randomly 

assigned to one of four dietary treatments: a control 

diet containing corn and soybean meal, and three test 

diets containing pearl millet supplemented with a 

commercial enzyme complex. The enzyme complex 

contained xylanase, amylase, protease, cellulase, and 

pectinase. The test diets contained 0.05%, 0.10%, or 

0.15% enzyme complex, respectively. The broilers were 

fed the experimental diets for 35 days. At the end of 

the feeding trial, six birds from each treatment were 

selected for carcass evaluation and hematological 

analysis. 

Experimental Design: 

A total of 120 one-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were 

randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each 

with three replicates of ten birds per replicate. The four 

dietary treatments included: i) control diet (corn-

soybean meal-based); ii) 30% pearl millet-based diet 

without enzyme supplementation; iii) 30% pearl millet-

based diet supplemented with xylanase and phytase 

enzymes; iv) 30% pearl millet-based diet supplemented 



Volume 03 Issue 06-2023 6 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Agriculture And Horticulture Innovations  
(ISSN – 2771-2559) 
VOLUME 03 ISSUE 06     Pages: 04-07 

SJIF IMPACT FACTOR (2021: 5. 705) (2022: 5. 705) (2023: 7. 471)  
OCLC – 1290679216   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

Servi 

with xylanase, phytase, and protease enzymes. The 

enzyme supplements were added to the diets at 

recommended levels. 

Feeding and Management: 

The birds were raised in battery cages in a 

temperature-controlled room and provided ad libitum 

access to feed and water throughout the experimental 

period. The birds were fed the experimental diets for 

42 days, and their body weight, feed intake, and 

mortality were recorded weekly. 

Sample Collection: 

At the end of the experimental period, five birds from 

each replicate were randomly selected, fasted for 12 

hours, and euthanized. Blood samples were collected 

from the jugular vein into EDTA-coated tubes for 

hematological analysis. Carcass traits, including live 

weight, dressed weight, and carcass yield, were 

measured. 

Statistical Analysis: 

The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of 

variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design. 

Differences between means were tested using Tukey’s 

post hoc test at p<0.05. 

RESULT 

The results showed that broilers fed the enzyme-

supplemented pearl millet diets had significantly (P < 

0.05) higher body weight gain, feed intake, and feed 

conversion ratio compared to the control group. The 

highest body weight gain and feed intake were 

observed in the group fed the diet containing 0.10% 

enzyme complex. The carcass evaluation showed that 

broilers fed the enzyme-supplemented pearl millet 

diets had significantly (P < 0.05) higher carcass weight, 

breast weight, and thigh weight compared to the 

control group. The hematological analysis showed that 

there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the 

hematological parameters between the treatment 

groups. 

CONCLUSION 

The findings of this study suggest that enzyme 

supplementation of pearl millet-based diets can 

improve the growth performance and carcass quality 

of broiler chickens. The optimal level of enzyme 

supplementation was found to be 0.10% in this study. 

The hematological analysis showed that enzyme 

supplementation did not have any adverse effects on 

the blood parameters of broiler chickens. Therefore, 

enzyme-supplemented pearl millet diets can be used as 

an alternative to conventional corn and soybean meal-

based diets in broiler production. 

REFERENCES 

1. Olomola AS, NwaforM. Nigeria agriculture sector  

performance  review;  International Institute  of  

Tropical  Agriculture  (IITA): Ibadan, Nigeria. 2018;3.  

2. Otekunrin  OA,  Otekunrin  OA,  Momoh  S, Ayinde  

IA.  How  far  has  Africa  gone  in achieving   the   

zero-hunger   target? Evidence  from Nigeria.  Glob.  

Food Security. 2019;22:1–12. 

3. Davis  AJ,  Dale  NM,  Ferreira  FJ.  Pearl millet as an 

alternative feed ingredient in broiler  diets.  Journal  

of  Applied  Poultry Research. 2003;12:137-144. 

4. Hidalgo MA, Davis AJ, Dale NM, Dozier III WA.  Use  

of  whole  pearl  millet  in  broiler diets. Journal of 

Applied Poultry Research. 2004;13:229-234  

5. Manwar  SJ,  Mandal  AB.  Effect  of  high moisture   

storage   of   pearl   millet (Pennisetum   typhoides)  

with  or  without feed  enzymes  on  growth  and  

nutrient utilization  in  broiler chickens.  Animal 

Science Journal. 2009;80(4):438-445. 



Volume 03 Issue 06-2023 7 

                 

 
 

   
  
 

American Journal Of Agriculture And Horticulture Innovations  
(ISSN – 2771-2559) 
VOLUME 03 ISSUE 06     Pages: 04-07 

SJIF IMPACT FACTOR (2021: 5. 705) (2022: 5. 705) (2023: 7. 471)  
OCLC – 1290679216   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Publisher: Oscar Publishing Services 

Servi 

6. Makinta AA, Ubosi CO. Effects of replacing maize  

with  pearl  millet  (Pennisetum americanum)  on  

the  performance  of finishing  broiler  chickens  in  

the  semi-arid zone  of  Nigeria.  Sahel  Journal  of 

Veterinary Sciences. 2009; 8(1). 

Available:https://www.ajol.info/index.php/sjvs/arti

cle/view/44476 

7. Choct  M.  Enzymes for  the  feed  industry: Past,  

present  and  future.  World’s  Poultry Science. 

2006;62:5-15 

8. Mehri  M,  Pourreza  J,  Sadeghi  G. Replacing maize 

with pearl millet in laying hens’diets.  Tropical  

Animal  Health  and Production. 2010;42:439–444.  

9. Usman YM, Hussaini M, Baba MB, Sheriff B.  Effect  

of  Different  Tillage  Methods  on the Growth and 

Yield ofPearl Millet under Rainfed  Conditions.  The  

International Journal  of  Science  and  Technology. 

2014;2(11):62 -67.  

10. Lee  D,  Hanna  W.  Pearl  millet  for  grain. Extension  

bulletin  1216.  University  of Georgia, Athens, GA; 

2002. 

11. Wilson  JP,  Hanna  WW,  Wilson  DM, Beaver  RW,  

Casper  HH.  Fungal  and mycotoxin  contamination  

of  pearl  millet grain  in  response  to  

environmental conditions  in  Georgia.  Plant  

Diseases. 1993;77: 121-124. 

12. Adeola O, Rogler JC. Pearl millet in diets of  white  

Pekin  ducks.  Poultry  Science. 1994;73:425–435. 

13. Amato  SV,  Forrester  RR.  Evaluation  of pearl 

millet as a feed ingredient for broiler rations.  In:  

First  Natl.  Grain  Pearl  Millet Symp, Tifton GAID, 

Teare ed. University of Georgia Coastal Plain 

Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. 1995;125–128. 

14. Sullivan  TW,  Douglas  JH,  Andrews  DJ, Bowland 

PL, Hancock JD, Bramel-Cox PJ, Stegmeier WD, JR 

Brethour, JR Nutritional value of pearl millet for 

food and feed. In: Proc.   International   Conference   

on Sorghum   Nutrition.   Qual.   Purdue University,  

West  Lafayette,  IN;  1990;83–94. 

15. Ahmad F, Pasha I, Saeed Ml, Asgher M. Biochemical 

profiling of pakistani sorghum and millet varieties 

with special refernce to anthocyanins  and  

condensed  tannins. International  Journal  of  Food  

Production. 2018; 21(1):1586-1597. 

16. Slama A, Cherif A, Sakouhi F, Bouhkchin, S.   

Radhouane   L.   Fatty   acids phytochemical 

composition and antioxidant potential  of  pearl  

millet  oil.  Journal  of Consumer  Protection  and  

Food  Safety. 2020;15:145-151. 


