Effects of Air-Dried Neem Leaf Extract on the Hematology of Broiler Chicken

Abstract

One hundred and sixty day-old broiler birds were used in a study conducted to investigate the effects of air-dried neem leaf extract (NLE) on the haematology of broiler chicken. The birds were randomly allotted into four treatment groups of 40 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment1 received ordinary water and antibiotics while Treatments 2, 3 and 4 received 30, 40, and 50ml of 3% NLE in one litre of water, respectively without antibiotics. Results obtained in this experiment showed that packed cell volume and haemoglobin were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by treatments only at the starter phase. Birds in the control diet had the highest and least values for lymphocytes and heterophil at the finisher phase. It was be concluded that air-dried neem leaves extract could be used as an alternative to antibiotics without adverse effect on the blood profile of broiler chicken.