<b>Effects of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Leaf Stalk Plus Enzyme on Phenotypic Correlation between Zoometric Traits in Marshall Broiler Chickens Starter Phase</b>

Abstract

The relationship between rates of change of Body weight (BWR), Body length, (BLR), Body girth (BGR) Drumstick length (DLR), Shank length (SLR), Thigh length (TLR), Wing length (WLR) and Keel length (KLR) between 1 and 4 weeks age was examined in Marshall Broiler Birds placed on diet containing 0, 5, 10% and 10%+enzyme cocktail Moringa oleifera leaf stalk Meal MOLSM). Pearson’s bivariate correlation analysis indicated that body weight was significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated with BLR and DLR (0.371 and 0.468), GLR was significantly correlated with BLR (0.460), while DLR was significantly correlated with GLR (0.448) in ALL. Diet significantly (p<0.05) affects rates of change of body weight (R 2 =.455) and body girth (R 2 =.291) but not other trait rates when all birds are examined irrespective of diet (ALL). At 0 and 10% MOLSM inclusion levels none of the body parts measured was significantly correlated with BWR. SLR was significantly correlated with KLR (0.768) at 5% MOLSM inclusion level, and BWR was significantly correlated with DLR (0.679) at 10% plus enzyme MOLS level. These results show that significantly correlated rates of change of body parts are reliable indicators of bodyweight development in the young Marshall Broiler strain regardless of inclusion levels of MOLSM, and inform the breeder and nutritionist of the likely proportionate gain in body-parts associated with gains in body-weight during feeding of graded levels of MOLSM as a non conventional feedstuff . Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaf stalk Meal, Phenotypic Correlation, Body weight, Broiler.