Levels of Powdered Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal Supplement in Maiduguri, North – Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This research study was carried out to analyse the effects on performance fishing broiler chickens fed graded levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) supplementation in Maiduguri. Qualitative phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaf part was conducted by using various techniques as described by AOAC, it revealed the presence of six phytochemicals (glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, reducing sugars, tannins and terpenoid). Finishers’ feed was self-formulated in grams (g), 180 day-old broiler chicks were commercially obtained, completely randomized block designed method was used, brooded and allotted into four treatment groups. Fifteen birds per treatment and triplicated each. At finisher phase, were supplemented with graded levels of powdered MOLM; T₁ (0% or 0 g) served as control, T₂ (5% or 5 g), T₃ (10% or 10 g) and T₄ (15% or 15 g). Feeds and water were provided ad – libitum, for 6 weeks. Daily feed intake, weekly weight gain was recorded and obtained in g/bird. Results revealed the treatments mean initial weight ranged from 612 to 91.9, final weight (1,562 to 1,917), weight gain (762 to 1,216), feed intake (1,535 to 1,655), feed conversion ratio (1.4 to 2.2) and feed efficiency ranged from 2 to 2.4 approximately. The findings revealed that MOLM increased the finisher broiler chickens’ performance when incorporated up to 10% or 100 g/kg in to the diets without any adverse effects on growth performance, it has positive effect on weight gain of broiler chickens and reduces oxidative stress associated with heat stresses. Therefore, we recommended that poultry farmers can supplement finisher broiler chickens feed with powdered M. oleiferaleaf meal up to 10% or 100 g / kg inclusion level.