Abstract

Pelung chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) is a typical Indonesian local breed originating from West Java. Pelung chicken breeding, especially male bird, was initially used as a hobby livestock because they have tunable voice. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding lime (Citrus aurantifolia) juice as a source of vitamin C on blood parameter and performance of male pelung chickens. The experimental birds were 64 male pelung chicken aged 12 weeks, divided into 4 weight groups namely group 1: 740 - 910 g, group 2: 910 - 1,080 g, group 3: 1,080 - 1,250 g, and group 4: 1,250 - 1,420. The treatments applied were T0: formulated diet; FD, T1: FD+ lime juice 1, T2: FD + lime juice 2, and T3: FD + lime juice 3. The present experiment was assigned in body weight-based randomized block design. Measured parameters were heterophile, lymphocyte, heterophile-lymphocyte ratio (H/L), total plasma protein, the relative weight of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa of fabricius) and performance (feed intake, daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio) of birds. The results showed that the feeding diet added with 1-3 lime juice significant on heterophile, H/L ratio, the relative weight of spleen, total plasma protein, daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, but not significant on lymphocyte, the relative weight of bursa of fabricius and feed intake. Male pelung chicken fed diet added with 3 lime juice (T3) indicates better blood parameter stability (H/L ratio and lymphoid organs), total plasma protein and performance. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.