Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Leaf Meal Supplementation On The Performance, Carcass Characteristics And Blood Profile Of Broilers

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal supplementation on the performance, carcass characteristics and blood haematological and serum biochemical profile of broiler chickens. Fresh Moringa leaves (FML) were harvested and shade – dried for three to four days and milled into meal. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. A total of 448 day old broiler chicks were used in this experiment. The experimental birds were distributed randomly into seven groups of 64 birds per treatment. The 64 birds in each treatment were further divided into four (4) replicates of 16 birds each. Four experimental diets were formulated to be iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric broiler starter and finisher diets: Diet 1 (0% MoLM with conventional ingredients), Diet 2 (3% MoLM with conventional ingredients), Diet 3 (6% MoLM with conventional ingredients), and Diet 4 (9% MoLM with conventional ingredients). In total there were seven treatments, namely T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7. Experimental birds in T1 were given 0% MoLM without antibiotic through drinking water. Birds on T2 were given 3% MoLM without antibiotic. Birds on T3 were given 6% MoLM without antibiotics. Birds on T4 were given 9% MoLM without antibiotics. Birds on T5 were given 3% MoLM with antibiotic (Keproceryl-wsp) through drinking water. Birds on T6 were given 6% MoLM and an antibiotic (Keproceryl-wsp) was offered through water. Birds on T7 were also given 9% MoLM with antibiotics through their drinking water. Productive performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters were measured. The results showed that, treatment effect on average final body weight, average daily gain, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio were not significant (p>0.05). However Birds fed on MoLM gained higher average final body weight and superior feed conversion ratio than birds fed the control diet. However, birds fed on 3% MoLM diet with or without antibiotics showed heaviest final body weight. Inclusion of MoLM up to 3% (with or without antibiotics) in broiler diets significantly (p<0.05) improved live weight, Carcass weight, intestine weight, liver weight, heart, neck shank, head, breast, thigh and abdominal fat weights of the birds. 3% MoLM with or without the use of antibiotics improves the blood parameters of birds. 3% MoLM inclusion level with or without antibiotics had no adverse effect on broiler performance.