Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to study the hematological response of Saudi Arabian Baladi fowl to protein rearing regimens. Males and females were subjected to the following 4 protein rearing regimens: conventional, C; reverse protein, RP; 2 single-stage low protein, $SS_1$ and $SS_2$ using 15% and 12% CP diets, respectively. Regimen effect was highly significant ($$p{\leq_-}.01$$) on BW, PCY, TP and U-Ac and significant ($$p{\leq_-}.05$$) on TL. Serum chol levels were not affected by regimen. In general $SS_{2}$ birds showed the lowest values for all parameters studied, except for PCV. However, the differences were not significant in each case. Age and sex effects were highly significant ($$p{\leq_-}.01$$) for all parameters, however, the regimen X sex interaction was not significant except for PCV. Regimen X age interaction, on the other hand, was highly significant ($$p{\leq_-}.01$$) only for BW, TP and U-Ac concentrations. The data may suggest that low levels of protein in the rearing regimen is an important factor influencing levels of the blood parameters studied. The data also indicate a lack of clear relationship between hen-day egg production and the blood parameters studied.