PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF Moringa oleifera SEED MEAL

Abstract

ABSTSRACT: A 56-day feeding trial was undertaken to investigate the effects of graded levels of ethanol treated Moringa oleifera seed meal (ETMOSM) on performance, serum and haematological characteristics of broiler chickens. 150-day-old Arbor acre chickens used in this experiment were subjected to five dietary treatments as follows; Diet 1-the control devoid of Moringa oleifera seed meal (0%MOSM), diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 –ETMOSM at graded inclusion levels of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% level respectively. Results showed that ETMOSM had an effect (p<0.05) on the growth performance and blood profiles. There was better performance up to 2.5% MOSM but the performance declined significantly at a higher inclusion level. There was an improvement in the haematological ((PCV, RBC, HB) parameters up to 10% MOSM inclusion. The AST ALP, total protein and albumin increased significantly with the increased level of MOSM while Alkaline phosphatase reduced with the increased level of MOSM: nevertheless, there were no influence (P > 0.05) on the urea values. It can be suggested from the findings of this research that ethanol treated MOSM can replace soya bean meal in broiler chick diets up to 10% without deleterious effect on the growth and blood profile