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.