EFFECT OF DIETARY MORINGA (Moringa oleifera) SEEDS INCLUSION ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sinnar, Abunaama, Sudan

2 Faculty of Animal Production, University of Gezira,Sudan.

Abstract

 
The experiment was conducted at Abu Naama area- about 400 kilometers south Khartoum-to determine the effect of dietary Moringa oleifera seeds supplementation on the performance of broiler chickens and carcass characteristics. A total of 160 one day old Ross 308 broilers were distributed into 4 groups (treatments) with 4 replicates containing 10 chicks each. Four broiler rations were formulated with graded levels of Moringa oleifera seeds (0, 0.5, 1 and 2%/kg). All diets were kept isocaloric with a metabolizable energy 3200 kcal/kg diet. The experiments have lasted for 44 days of age. All chicks were fed on a starter diet for 2 days (adaptation period). The results of feed intake showed that there were significant different (P≤0.05) between the treatments through all weeks. The birds fed the control diet had a greatest feed consumption throughout the experimental period except at week four of age, at which the birds fed diets containing 1% Moringa consumed the largest amount of feed (p≤ 0.05). The effect of varying levels of Moringa oleifera seeds on weekly weight gain showed that, there were significant different (P≤0.05) between the treatments through all weeks except the first one. The control group (0% moringa) achieved a significantly highest weight gain values through all weeks except the fourth one. There were significant different (P≤0.05) between the treatments through the third, fourth, fifth and sixth weeks of age. The control (0% moringa) gave a significantly worst feed conversion value through the third and fourth weeks. Group fed 1% moringa recorded highest values in the fifth week. Moreover, group fed 2% moringa recorded highest values in the sixth one. There were highly significant different (P≤0.01) between the treatments (mean values) for rib back, wings, carcass shrinkage and hind back percent. Moreover, there were significant different (P≤0.05) between the treatments (mean values) for warm carcass, cold carcass, left side, right side and all values of the parts and cuts except dressing empty body and muscles percent. The highest ratio of mortality observed at group with 2% Moringa oleifera while the level 0.5% recorded no mortality rate. On the other hand, the mortality rate of unsupplemented group was 5%. 

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