Substitution of soybean meal by meal moringa oleifera leaves in the diet finishing broiler

Abstract

The study of the effect of the substitution of the soy bean meal by Moringa oleifera leaf powder in the diet of finish broiler were carry out in the Dschang University Experimental Farm ration completion from December 2003 to January 2004. Two hundred and four twenty eight chicks “Arbor acres” hens, four weeks old were sexes and distributed randomly in sixteen pens. Each pens was included nine males and nine females receiving one of the four experimental diets whose rates of substitution were 0 (F0);20 (F20);40 (F40) and 60% (F60). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design with four treatments and four replications. From the results of this study it appear that the total feed intake were respectively 2.8 kg ; 2.8 kg ; 2.6 kg : and 2.6 kg for the hens receiving F0, F20 F40 and F60. Live weight was 1.9 kg ; 1.9 kg ; 1.8 kg and 1.7 kg respectively for the hens receiving F0, F20 F40 andF60. Body weight gain during the trial period was 1,2 kg; 1.2 kg; 1.1 kg and 1.1 kg for hens receiving F0, F20 F40 F60 respectively. Feed conversion ratio was 2.4; 2.3; 2.4 and 2.4 for F0, F20 F40 F60 experimental diets respectively. The feed cost necessary for the production of one kilogram of body weight was 441 FCFA; 440 FCFA; 459 FCFA and 464 FCFA respectively for F0; F20; F40; and F60. The analysis of variance indicated that there were no significant differences (P> 0.05) between treatment groups for total food consumption, live weight, Body weight and feed conversion ratio. It was concluded that Moringa leaf powder can be used as ingredient in the broiler’s diet up to 60% replacement without affecting negatively the production parameters.