GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING LEVELS OF BOILED MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) SEED MEAL

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of broiler chickens fed boiled Moringa oleifera seed meal (MOSM) diets. Three hundred (300) ―Ross‖ unsexed day old broiler chicks with an average initial live weight of 38g were fed diets containing graded levels of MOSM.
Five experimental diets (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) were formulated and the inclusion levels of MOSM in the diets were 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10%, respectively. The treatments were replicated three times with twenty birds per replicate and a total of sixty birds per treatment in a completely randomized design.
Parameters measured were initial weight, final weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake and daily feed intake. Feed conversion ratio, feed cost of bird per kilogram and weight gain were computed. The mortality rate was recorded as they occurred. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model procedure of Statistical Analysis Systems and separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test Procedure. The result showed final body weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg gain were significantly (P<0.05) affected across the dietary treatments while mortality recorded were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Birds fed 7.5% MOSM had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight (714.83g), weight gain (676.51g) and daily weight gain compared to other treatment groups. The finisher phase of the study revealed that MOSM in the diets of broiler chicken significantly (P<0.05) enhanced live weight, weight gain and daily weight gain
respectively. The results from this study suggested that the inclusion of 7.5% MOSM in the diet of broiler chickens improved growth performance at finisher phases.