Growth Performance, Blood Profile and Economic Efficiency of Layer Chicks Fed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Moringa Leaf Meal at Pre-Laying Phase

Abstract

A study was carried out to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) inclusion in diets on the growth performance, blood profile and economic efficiency of layer chicks. Three hundred (300) one-day old layer chicks of ISA Brown breed were allocated to five dietary treatments and three replicates in a complete randomize design. Five different diets containing 0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% MOLM were designated as treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Treatment 1 was the control diet. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance with the aid of SAS (2008). The results obtained showed that feed intake at the starter phase was lower (P<0.05) in the test diets. The final body weight, live weight gain and feed conversion ratio were better (P<0.05) in the test diets than the control at the starter phase. At the pullet phase feed intake was similar (P>0.05) among the dietary treatments. The final body weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were better (P<0.05) in the test diets than the control. Apart from haemoglobin, the haematological characteristics measured namely red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes, granulocytes, platelets and MIDcells (monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and other precursor white cells) showed significant increased (P<0.05) responses in the test diets. Total serum protein, albumin level, cholesterol level and globulin showed significant increased (P<0.05) responses to the test diets. The mean cost of feed per kilogram and the mean cost of feed per kilogram gain of body weight decreased with increasing inclusion of MOLM. The study indicated that the inclusion of MOLM in the diet of layer chicks (from starter through pullet phase) had positive impact on growth and better economic efficiency in layer chicks.

Effect of Seasonality and Dietary Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal on the Quality of Spermatozoa of the Pearl Guinea Fowl Cock

“…However, this result is similar to previous studies conducted by Ogbe and Affiku 7 (27.44%) and Kwafo et al 17 (28.50%) but lower (30.65%) than those obtained by Mutayoba et al 18 . The crude protein value obtained confirms that moringa leaf meal is a good source of protein in the diets of birds.…”

“…The crude protein value obtained confirms that moringa leaf meal is a good source of protein in the diets of birds. The value of crude fibre (13.34%) obtained in this study is lower (16.11%) than those reported by Kwafo et al 17 but higher (13.05 and 10.59%) than those reported by Kwafo et al 17 and Abbas et al 19 . The value of dry matter (89.64%) observed in the present study is lower than those obtained by Kwafo et al 17 (90.21) but higher than those reported by Kakengi et al 20 (86%).…”

Effect of moringa leaf meal and season on blood and hormonal profile of the pearl guinea fowl (Numida meleagris)

“…This value is higher than the value of 17.01 % and 23 % reported by Ogbe and Afiku [19] and Makkar and Becker [20] respectively. However, the result is comparable to the 27.44 % reported by Olugbemi et al [21] and 28.50 % reported by Kwafo et al [22] but lower than the 30.65 % obtained by Mutayoba et al [23]. The protein value (28.91) recorded in this study indicates that the nutrient content of the moringa gives an indication of its usefulness as an important feed resource for feeding Guinea fowls.…”

“…The crude fibre value obtained in this study is an indication that adding MOLM to the diet of Guinea fowls will not affect digestibility. The value for dry matter (89.64 %) was observed to be lower than the 90.21 obtained by Kwafo et al [22] but was higher than 86 % reported by Kakengi et al [26]. The values obtained for ether extracts (5.23 %), moisture (88.15 %), nitrogen free extracts (43.85 %) and total ash (7.13 %) were similar to values obtained in previous studies [19,21,25].…”

“…The protein value (28.91) recorded in this study indicates that the nutrient content of the moringa gives an indication of its usefulness as an important feed resource for feeding Guinea fowls. The crude fibre value of 13.34 % obtained in this study appears lower than the 16.11 % reported by Richter et al [24] but was higher than 13.05 % and 10.59 % obtained by Kwafo et al [22] and Abbas et al [25]. The crude fibre value obtained in this study is an indication that adding MOLM to the diet of Guinea fowls will not affect digestibility.…”