Growth performance indices, carcass characteristics and organ weights in broiler finishers fed diets containing replacement of soyabean meal with Moringa oleifer a leaf meal

Abstract

The escalating prices of conventional plant protein sources like soyabean and groundnut cake in Nigeria have prompted exploration into alternative feed ingredients for poultry nutrition. Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) presents a promising substitute due to its nutrient-rich composition and cost-effective cultivation. This study investigated the effects of substituting soyabean meal (SBM) with MOLM on growth performance indices, carcass characteristics, and organ weights in broiler finishers on an equal protein basis. Five diets were formulated, where in SBM protein was replaced with that of MOLM at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% levels. 200 four-week old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to these diets in a completely randomized design, with each treatment having four replicates. Analysis of MOLM's proximate composition suggested its suitability as a substitute for SBM. Up to 50% inclusion of MOLM resulted in weight gain and feed conversion ratio similar to the control (p>0.05). However, higher inclusion levels led to decreased feed intake, weight gain, and poorer feed conversion efficiency, likely due to increased fibre content. Carcass traits were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by MOLM inclusion up to 50% level. Organ weights were largely unaffected except for the liver, spleen, and bursa, which showed variations with different levels of MOLM inclusion. Substituting SBM with MOLM at up to 50% did not negatively impact broiler growth performance or carcass characteristics. However, further research is needed to optimize MOLM inclusion levels and address the effects of high fibre content in poultry diets.