A. E. Onyimonyi
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Adeyemi Olabode
Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
G. C. Okeke
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The performance and economic indices of broilers fed varying dietary levels of sun dried Neem Leaf Meal (NLM) were investigated using ninety Ross unsexed two weeks old broilers. The birds were randomly assigned to five treatment groups of eighteen birds each in which NLM was incorporated at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2% for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Each treatment was further replicated twice with nine birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that treatment effect on Average Final Body Weight (AFBW), Average Daily Gain (ADG), Average Daily Feed Intake [ADFI] and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significant (P<0.05). Birds on the 0.5% NLM had significantly (P<0.05) superior AFBW, ADG and FCR. ADFI of birds on the 0.5% NLM was statistically the same with the control birds but differed from the rest treatments on NLM. Gross margin analysis reveals that a profit of N707.30 is made per bird on the 0.5% NLM as against N630.97, N620.73, N621.81 and N507.06 for birds on the control, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% NLM respectively. It is concluded that inclusion of 0.5% NLM in the diets of broilers will support optimum performance and economic benefit.
PDF References Citation
How to cite this article
A. E. Onyimonyi, Adeyemi Olabode and G. C. Okeke, 2009. Performance and Economic Characteristics of Broilers Fed Varying Dietary Levels of Neem Leaf Meal (Azadirachta indica). International Journal of Poultry Science, 8: 256-259.
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2009.256.259
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2009.256.259
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2009.256.259
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ijps.2009.256.259
REFERENCES
- Elangovan, A.V., S.V.S. Verma, V.R.B. Sastry and S. Singh, 2000. Effect of feeding neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel meal on growth, nutrient utilization and physiology of Japanese quails (Coturnix cotrnix Japonica). Asian-Aust. J. Anim Sci., 13: 1272-1277.
Direct Link - Fasuyi, A.O., K.S.O. Fajemilehin and S.O. Aro, 2005. Nutritional potentials of siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) leaf meal (SWLM) on laying hens: Biochemical and haematological implications. Pak. J. Nutr., 4: 336-341.
CrossRefDirect Link - Iheukwumere, F.C., E.C. Ndubuisi, E.A. Mazi and M.U. Onyekwere, 2008. Performance, nutrient utilization and organ characteristics of broilers fed cassava leaf meal (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Pak. J. Nutr., 7: 13-16.
CrossRefDirect Link - Nwokolo, E., 1987. Leaf meals of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) and Siam weed (Eupatorium odoratum L.) as nutrient sources in poultry diets. Nutr. Rep. Int., 36: 819-826.
Direct Link - Nworgu, F.C., G.N. Egbunike, C.E. Ononogbu, J.B.Fapohunda and J.U. Ogbonna, 2003. Effect of mimosa (Mimosa invisa) leaf meal supplements on broiler finishers performance. Proceedings of the 8th Annual Conference of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria, September 16-18, 2003, Nigeria, pp: 36-38.
- Steel, R.G.D. and J.H. Torrie, 1980. Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. 2nd Edn., McGraw Hill Book Co., New York, USA., ISBN-13: 9780070609266, Pages: 633.
Direct Link