Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research Volume 2, Issue 1: 70-75 (2012POSSIBILITIES OF USING MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) LEAF MEAL AS A PARTIAL SUBSTITUTE FOR FISHMEAL IN BROILER CHICKENS DIETS

No Thumbnail Available
Date
2012
Authors
Kwabla Zanu, Holy
Aseidu, P.
Tampuori, M.
Abada, M.
Asante, I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research Volume 2, Issue 1: 70-75 (2012
Abstract
A six-week feeding trial involving 180 2-week old Cobb broiler chicks was conducted to assess the effects of partial replacement of fishmeal with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal on broiler chickens. The birds were randomly assigned in equal numbers in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to four dietary treatments containing 0, 5, 10, and 15% Moringa leaf meal (MLM). Each treatment was replicated three times giving 15 birds per replicate. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The parameters measured were feed intake, initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency, carcass traits, hematology, serum biochemistry and meat quality. Final weight, weight gain, feed conversion efficiency significantly (p<0.05) declined with increasing level of MLM. None of the carcass traits measured was significantly affected by addition of MLM. Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) was the only hematological parameter that showed significance (P<0.05) difference in treatment groups. Triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and Very Low Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) differed significantly (P<0.05). Also incorporation of MLM significantly (P<0.05) affected the moisture, crude protein and crude fat of the meat of experimental birds. Cost benefit analysis showed that incorporation of MLM resulted in reduced feed cost. However, the net revenue from birds fed diets containing MLM reduced as a result of poor weight gain. Based on the data obtained in this study it is concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf meal when partially used to replace fishmeal may hamper growth rate of broiler chickens. Nonetheless, addition of MLM does not adversely affect mortality, carcass traits and blood variables.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Zanu, H. K., Asiedu, P., Tampuori, M., Abada, M., & Asante, I. (2012). Possibilities of using Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal as a partial substitute for fishmeal in broiler chickens diets. Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research, 2(1), 70-75.