EFFECT OF FREQUENCY OF ADMINISTRATION OF NEEM (Azadirachta india) LEAF AQUEOUS HEAT TREATED EXTRACT ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS

Abstract

One hundred and fifty one week old broiler chicks (Arbor acres) were weighed and randomly distributed to five dietary treatments A,B,C,D, and E in a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated three times on deep litter. The birds in treatment A were given vaccination and conventional drugs required for broiler chicks production without neem leaf aqueous extract (NLAE) (control). Birds in treatment B were given vaccination and 10ml of NLAE in 4 days interval without conventional drugs, while birds in treatments C,D and E were given 10ml of NLAE at 4,5 and 6 days interval, respectively with required vaccination and conventional drugs. The birds in all the treatments were fed the same broiler starter diet ad-libitum. The experiment lasted for five weeks. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and errors were calculated as standard errors of mean and significance accepted at 0.05 level of probability. The results showed that the birds in treatment A had the best final live weight (FLW) of 700.00g/bird, while birds in treatments B and E had the lowest FLW of 655.55 and 658.33g/bird, respectively. The feed conversion ration was best on birds placed on treatment B (3.37), unlike those placed on treatments A (3.54) and E (3.75). Cost of feed per kilogramme live weight gain (CFPKLWG) was best on the birds in treatments B and D (₦349.92- ₦350.53/kg). The administration of NLAE at 10ml/250ml of water at 4 days interval was not toxic to the birds as only 2 birds died in treatment B at starter phase (6.90% mortality). Broiler chicks can be reared with the administration of 10ml of NLAE in 250ml of water at 4 days interval without the use of conventional drugs, although this resulted to a weight loss of 6.35% with reference to control.