Comparison Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal and Oxytetracycline on Haematology and Serum Biochemical Profile of Broiler Finishers

Aims: The study was carried out to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the haematological parameters and serum biochemical profile of broiler finishers in comparison with oxytetracycline.

Study Design: The design of the study was a completely randomised design.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study lasted for four weeks.

Methodology: One hundred and eight 4 weeks old un-sexed arbor acre broiler chicks were used for the study. Four dietary treatments containing 3064.27-3073.55 Kcal/kg of energy and 19.75% -21.94% crude protein were formulated and each treatment had three replicates with nine birds per replicate. The experimental diets contained 250g of oxytetracycline per 100kg of feed for treatment 1 (T1), 200g, 400g and 600g of Moringa oleifera leaf meal per 100kg of feed for treatments 2 (T2), 3 (T3) and 4 (T4) respectively.

Results: The results of the study revealed that there was no significant difference across the treatments for most of the parameters measured. Red blood cell (RBC) counts for birds fed T4 (4.70 x106/mm3) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed the control diet (3.61 x106/mm3). Birds fed T4 recorded highest aspartate amino transferase (AST) mean value (72.18%) which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the mean value of those fed the control diet T1 (52.26%).

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the result of the study that Moringa oleifera leaf meal could be used as alternative antibiotic in place of oxytetracycline. The result of the study suggested that Moringa oleifera leaf has antimicrobial properties.