EFFECT OF DIFFERENT INCLUSION LEVELS OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) LEAF MEAL AND HOUSING SYSTEMS ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF PULLET CHICKENS

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the growth performance of four-week old pullet chicks to varying levels of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal (NLM) under two housing systems. Two hundred and thirty-four dominant black strain pullet chicks were allotted to two different housing systems (deep litter (DL) and deep litter with run (DLR)). Birds in each housing system were subdivided into three groups based on the neem inclusion levels (0, 0.5 and 1.0% NLM). Each group consists of thirty nine randomly selected birds and three replicates of thirteen birds. The experiment was arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial layout in a completely randomized design. The birds on DLR recorded higher (p<0. 05) weight gain (389.18 g) and betier feed conversion ratio (3.45). The inclusion of NLM up to 1.0% in the diet of pullets had no significant (p>0.05) effect on growth performance indices except protein intake.. It was concluded that inclusion NLM can be included up to 1.0% NLM in the diets of pullet chickens without deleterious effect in their growth performance while deep litter with run improves performance of the birds.