Makanjuola B.A., Obi O.O., Olorungbohunmi T.O., Morakinyo O.A., Oladele-Bukola M.O., Boladuro B.A.
Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria
Makanjuola, B.A., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria; Obi, O.O., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria; Olorungbohunmi, T.O., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria; Morakinyo, O.A., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria; Oladele-Bukola, M.O., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria; Boladuro, B.A., Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of three different inclusion levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as substitute to antibiotics on the performance and blood parameters of broiler chickens. One hundred and forty four (144) day-old commercial Cobb broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments of 3 replicates each. Each replicate had 12 birds. The treatments CTL - Control group in which the birds were offered a basal diet and routine treatment with antibiotic (Enrofloxacin via water); MO1 - basal diet with 200g MOLM in 100kg of feed; MO2 - basal diet with 400g MOLM in 100kg of feed and MO3 - basal diet with 600g MOLM in 100kg of feed. The experiment lasted 28 days. Significant differences were observed in the feed intake of the birds while body weight gain did not differ significantly. The haematological parameters measured did not differ significantly. Alanine transaminase (ALT) differed among the dietary treatments. No differences were observed in the other serum biochemical indices measured. Cost incurred per kilogramme weight gain was lower for birds on Moringa diets than birds on the control diet.