Effects of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera leaves on the growth performance and packed cell volume of broiler chicken

Abstract

This research investigated the effect of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera leaf on the growth performance and PCV of broiler chicks. Sixty four weeks old broiler chicks were used. T₁ was control which contained only chick mash, T₂ contained 20 g of neem leaf meal (NLM), T₃ contained 20 g of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) and T4 contained 10 g of NLM and 10 g of MLM. The study lasted for 8 weeks. Result from the study showed that birds on 20 g inclusion of NLM had a significantly (p<0.05) higher weight gain (1800 ± 0.70) and mean weight (2650 ± 45.64) followed by the birds on a mixture of 10 g of NLM and 10 g of MLM . Similar trend followed in the specific growth rate even though the difference was not significant (p>0.05). The result obtained for the PCV ranged from 35.40 ± 0.07 for the 20 g inclusion of NLM, 36.50 ± 0.21 for the control treatment; 38.60 ± 0.21 for the 10 g inclusion of NLM + 10 g inclusion of MLM and 40.90 ± 0.21 for the 20 g inclusion of MLM. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the PCV among the different treatment groups. From the result, it was concluded that neem leaf gave a better performance at 20 g inclusion level in terms of growth performance, followed by the mixture with Moringa at 50:50 inclusion. Also Moringa oleifera performed best in boosting the PCV of broiler.

Keywords: Broiler chicks, Moringa oleifera, Neem leaf, Packed cell volume, Growth