EFFECT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on growth performance and serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens. A total number of seventy-two 1-day-old chicks were allotted to four experimental groups in a completely randomized design and fed graded levels (0, 5.0, 7.5, and 10%) of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) for eight weeks (56 days). The experimental groups which were designed as treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively were further replicated three times with six birds per replicate so that each group has a total of 18 birds per
replicate. Diet 1 which contained 0% MOLM served as the control, Diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 5.0, 7.5 and 10% MOLM respectively. Parameters determined were final live weight, average daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. At the end of the feeding trail, blood samples were collected from the birds of each replicate to evaluate the serum biochemical indices. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan new multiple Range Test. The results showed there was a significant (P< 0.05) in final weight, average weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The serum total protein indicated higher values in birds fed diet 10% MOLM than others. The results of the serum biochemical indices shows that Moringa oleifera replace protein source (soybean) up to 7.5% in broiler diets without any adverse effects on growth performance.