Comparative Effects of Graded Levels of Moringa Leaf Meal on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Profile of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the haematological and serum biochemical profile of broiler chickens. Fresh Moringa leaves (FML) were shade – dried for four (04) days and milled into meal. A total of two hundred (200) unsexed broiler chickens (Anak strain) with a mean body weight of 49.16 g/bird ± 0.09 were allotted to five (05) treatments at forty (40) birds per each in a completely randomized design experiment. Each treatment group was further divided into five (05) replicates. Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) was incorporated into the broiler starter and finisher diets at 0%, 5%, 10% 15% and 20% levels respectively. The chemical composition of the MOLM showed higher values of crude protein, crude fibre, calcium, iron, tannin, phytic acid, saponin and oxalate contents than FML. The haematological profile in birds fed 5% and 15% MOLM showed higher (P<0.05) packed cell volume than those fed 20% MOLM. The haemoglobin values were similar (P>0.05) between birds fed 5%, 10% and 15% MOLM - based diets, but reduced significantly (P<0.05) in birds fed 20% MOLM. The white blood cell count was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed 15% MOLM, while the lowest was obtained in those fed with 20% MOLM. The serum biochemical indices in birds fed 20% MOLM showed significant reductions (P<0.05) in albumin, total protein, uric acid, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase contents. The creatinine content was significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds fed 20% MOLM -based diet. The present study concluded that MOLM can be incorporated into broiler diets at 15% level without adverse effects on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of the broiler chickens.