Effects of Moringa oleifera leave meal in the diet on layer performance, haematological and serum biochemical values

Abstract

Abstract Utilisation of plant and leaf extracts in animal production is a strategy to improve health status and animals performance. Medical plants for use in animal diets need to be safe for animal health, so the effects on blood parameters need to be investigated. In this study the effect of different levels of Moringa oleifera leave meal (MOLM) in the diet on blood parameters and production performance of laying-type chickens from 1-day-old to 55 weeks of age was investigated. A total of 450 day-old chicks were distributed into three dietary treatment groups with 0% (M0), 1% (M1) and 3% (M3) addition of MOLM, with 5 replicates of 30 birds each. During the experimental period, feed intake (FI), body weight, egg laying rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. Blood samples for analysis of total protein, albumin, total iron and haematology were taken in 15 birds (3/replicate) at the 5 th, 15 th, 25 th, 35 th, 45 th and 55 th weeks of age between 9.00 am and 10.00 am. An increase in MOLM during the growing phase did not affect FI of the birds significantly, but live weights and FCR were improved (p < 0.05). In the laying period, FI was reduced in M1 and M3. Birds fed 1% of MOLM had the lowest FCR. The albumin level increased significantly (p < 0.05) in birds fed 3% of MOLM. Layers in the M1 group had the highest average egg-laying rate (p < 0.05). Red blood cells, white blood cells (WBC), packed cell volume and lymphocytes decreased with the increase in the Moringa oleifera level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, WBC and lymphocyte decreased probably because of a reduction of intestinal microflora. This resulted in an improvement of albumin level which subsequently affected bird’s growth and egg production.