Performance and Blood Chemistry as Affected by Inclusion of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal in Broiler chicks Diet

Abstract

U. of K. J. Vet. Med. Anim. Prod., Vol. 5, Issue 2 (2014) p 58-65
ISSN: 243456
58
Performance and Blood Chemistry as Affected by Inclusion of Moringa
Oleifera Leaf Meal in Broiler chicks Diet
Safa M.A. El Tazi* and Ibrahim M. Tibin1
Abstract
The effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on the performance and blood chemistry
of broiler chicks’ diets were investigated. A total of one-hundred and sixty one-day old, unsexed
(Ross) broiler chicks were randomly divided into four experimental groups. Each group was further
subdivided into five replicates at the rate of eight chicks per pen in randomized complete block
design. Four levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (0.0, 3, 5 and 7%) were fed during the
experimental period for 7-weeks duration. Birds fed on MOLM gained significantly (P<0.05) higher
weight and superior feed conversion ratio than birds fed the control diet. No significant difference
between birds fed on 3% & 5% (MOLM) diets regarding final body weight or body weight gain
.Birds fed on (5% MOLM) diet showed the heaviest body weight, highest total feed intake with the
best feed conversion ratio. There were significant (P<0.05) differences among groups in packed cell
volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) of the birds. The haemoglobin (HB), mean corpuscular
volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin
concentration (MCHC) counts showed no significant (P>0.05) difference among treatments. There
were significant (P<0.05) differences in the values of total protein supplementary serum, while
there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the values of serum albumin and globulin. Birds
fed on (5% MOLM) diet showed the highest values of (PCV), (RBC) and serum total protein as
compared to other experimental treatments. The highest profitability ratio (1.47) was obtained by
the diet with 5% (MOLM). Moringa oleifera leaf meal could be included at 5% dietary level
without any deterious effect on performance and blood characteristics of broilers