Abstract
The study was planned to determine the comparative efficacy of leaf extract of Azadirachta indica, Cichorium intybus and Moringa oleifera, on haematology, intestinal histomorphology and nutrient digestibility in broilers. Day old broiler chicks (n=180) purchased from a commercial hatchery were reared in a group for one week (adaptation period). At day 8, these birds were individually weighed and 120 birds of middle weight range were randomly selected and distributed into 12 replicates (10 chicks/replicate). These replicates were further allotted to four treatment groups designated as A, B, C and D. Group A was offered water without any supplementation and served as a control. Whereas, group B, C and D were offered water supplemented with leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (4%), Cichorium intybus (2%) and Moringa oleifera (6%), @ 50 ml/l, @ 10 ml/l and @ 30 ml/l, respectively. Results of the study revealed that supplementation of Azadirachta indica leaf extract showed better nutrient digestibility of crude protein and ether extract as compared to that of control. However, digestibility of crude fiber due to the treatments remained unaffected. Stabilization of blood metabolites resulted in improved intestinal histo-morphology. The birds using Azadirachta indica fetched the highest profit as compare to the other treatment groups. Therefore, use of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts in broiler is recommended as inexpensive and efficient growth promoting agent without residual effects like antibiotic growth promoter.
Highlights
Poultry meat is one of the most important sources of animal protein in the world and contributing significantly in maintaining the health status of the people, especially in developing countries like Pakistan
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Red blood cell count significantly (P
Summary
Poultry meat is one of the most important sources of animal protein in the world and contributing significantly in maintaining the health status of the people, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Garlic, kasni, ginger, kalongi, turmeric savory, sea-buckthorn, moringa and mint have been studied intensively [1] as alternatives of antibiotic growth promoters In these studies, different parts of plants and their extracts, oil, leaves, bark, seed, roots and other vegetative parts have been investigated in poultry diets. All parts of chicory especially its leaves have medicinal properties and are known to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypercholestermic, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, anti-genotoxic, anti-fungal, digestive, diuretic, immuno-stimulant, anti-cancer, anti-fertility, gastroprotective, laxative and cholagogic properties without any side effects [27] It is, hypothesized that Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Cichorium intybusleave extracts having the medicinal/immunomodulator properties free from un-identified growth suppressing effects, can be good candidates for replacing antibiotic growth promoters.A project, was planned to study comparative effect of Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Cichorium intybus leaf extracts on hematology, intestinal histomorphology and digestibility of broilers.`. Starter ration was fed from 0-3 and finisher from 4-5 weeks of age
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