Interaction Effect of Air- Dried Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal Supplemented With Maxigrain® Enzyme on Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Finishing Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A four weeks feeding trial was conducted to evaluate performance and nutrient digestibility of finishing broiler chickens fed Moringa leaf meal (MOLM) supplemented with Maxigrain®enzyme. Air- dried Moringa leaf meal was analyzed for its proximate composition. Two hundred and forty four weeks old broiler chickens were used in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of 4 levels of MOLM replacing soybean meal, protein for protein (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) with and without enzyme at 0ppm and 100ppm.The birds were assigned to eight treatments consisting of 30 birds per treatment, replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. The result obtained revealed 30.36% crude protein, 2575.41 Kcal/kg. Metabolizable energy at 2834.98 Kcal/kg gross energy, crude fibre and ash values of 12.77% and 14.52% respectively. Dietary incorporation of MOLM significantly (P<0.05) affected weight gained, nitrogen retention and crude fiber digestibility. Supplementing with enzyme had a significant effect on weight, nutrient retention and digestibility. In conclusion 10% MOLM without enzyme and 15% MOLM with enzyme advocates for the inclusion of Moringa leaf meal in the diets of broiler chickens.