Haematological and Biochemical Profiles of Indigenous and Exotic Chickens during Broody and Laying Phases

Abstract

The Indigenous Siruvidai is a native chicken ecotype of Tamil Nadu, while TANUVAS Aseel is an improved Aseel variety developed through selective breeding by the Poultry Research Station, TANUVAS. White Leghorn birds used in this study were procured from a commercial source. This study aimed to compare the haematological and serum biochemical profiles of five groups of 35-week-old hens: broody and laying Siruvidai, broody and laying TANUVAS Aseel, and laying White Leghorn. A total of 30 birds comprising 6 birds from each group were utilized for this study. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in laying TANUVAS Aseel (9.86%) than in laying Siruvidai (8.60%) and White Leghorn (8.66%). Broody Siruvidai hens showed significantly (P<0.05) higher serum levels of albumin (3.08 mg/dL), glucose (264.83 mg/dL), and triglycerides (514.33 mg/dL) than other groups. Laying Siruvidai birds exhibited significantly (P<0.05) elevated creatinine (0.27 mg/dL) and HDL (79.33 mg/dL) levels. Laying TANUVAS Aseel hens had significantly higher creatinine (0.26 mg/dL), cholesterol (223.66 mg/dL), glucose (263.66 mg/dL), and triglycerides (521.33 mg/dL). Serum urea was significantly (P<0.05) highest in laying White Leghorn hens (5.47 mg/dL). No significant differences were observed in RBC and total leucocyte counts, as well as serum total protein and globulin levels, among the groups. These findings highlight genotype- and laying phase–associated variations in haematological and biochemical parameters among indigenous and exotic chickens. The baseline information on the haematological and biochemical profiles of indigenous chicken breeds of this study can aid in breed characterization, health monitoring, and the development of breed-specific management strategies in rural and backyard poultry systems.