A study was conducted to determine the response of Turkey poults to graded levels of Alphamune G (0.00+, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 and 0.00 %-) when challenged with Escherichia coli orally for 7 days. The graded levels were the treatments viz 0.00%+ (positive control), Alphamune G at 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06% and 0.00%- (negative control; infected without Alphamune G supplementation). Each treatment was allotted 3 replicates of 6 poults. The experiment which was conducted for 56 days employed a completely randomized design. E. coli was isolated from the intestinal digesta of a colisepticaemic chicken. 108 turkey poults were used in this study. Poults were infected with E.coli for 7 days through the drinking water and given the treatment. The performance parameters of Alphamune G supplementation were significantly affected. The cumulative weight, Feed intake and weight gain were highest for turkey poults fed 0.06% Alphamune G supplementation. These values were also directly proportional to the supplementation levels of Alphamune G. The birds given the negative treatment (0.00 %-) had relatively poor performance compared to the other treatments. The specific enzymes studied were significantly affected (p<0.05) by the treatments. ALT and AST were significantly highest for turkey poults fed the negative control. Enzyme values became optimum at 0.05% Alphamune G supplementation. At 0.06% of Alphamune G supplementation, cellular mitigations of the effects of E. coli was measurable. Urea and creatinine were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by the treatments. Haematological indices such as WBC and specific differential counts (lymphocytes and neutrophils) were affected significantly (P<0.05) by supplemental levels of Alphamune G The Inclusion of Alphamune G at 0.06% in the diets improved performance of turkey poults when challenged with Escherichia coli.
Effect of Early Handling of Turkey Poults on Later Responses to a Dexamethasone-Escherichia Coli Challenge. 1. Production Values and Physiological Response
