Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Efficiency of Using Graded Levels of Moringa Leaf Meal in Feeding Weaner Pigs

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the feeding value of Moringa oleifera lea f meal (MOLM) as part of feed ingredient on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic efficiency of weaner pigs. A total of forty - five (45) weaner pigs of mixed sexes of age 7 - 8 weeks old were allocated to five dietary treatments and ni ne replicates in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were: diet 1 designated as 0% MOLM had no moringa in the diet and was the control, diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 designated as 1% MOLM, 2.5% MOLM, 3.5% MOLM and 5% MOLM contained moringa leaf meal at 1%, 2.5%, 3.5% and 5% respectively. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance with the aid of SAS (2008). The results obtained showed that feed intake and final body weight were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by MOLM. The growth rate of pigs on 5% MOLM (0.54 kg/pig) was better (p 0.05) influenced by MOLM. Back fat thickness