Evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal in the diets of black leghorn laying hens for protein sustaininability and national development

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Published: Jul 15, 2015
Keywords:
Neem leaf meal Performance Laying hens Egg production Cost of production

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Obikaonu, H. O.
Department of animal science and technology, Federal university of technology, Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Udedible, A. B. I.
Department of animal science and technology, Federal university of technology, Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Feeding trials were conducted for eleven weeks to evaluate the nutritive value of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal on egg production, Performance and economics of production of black leghorn laying hens. Fresh green neem leaves were harvested within the University community, air-dried to become crispy and milled to produce neem leaf meal (NLM,) then subjected to proximate analysis according to AOAC (1995). The Proximate analysis of the   leaf meal contained–high crude fibre (15.56%) and moderate crude protein (18.10%).  The neem leaf meals was included in the layers diets at 0,2.5,5.0,7.5 and 10%  designated as T0, T2.5, T5.0, T7.5, and T10 respectively and all dietary treatments were iso caloric and iso protein.  Black leghorn laying hens at 10 weeks of laying life were used for the trial. They were divided into 5 groups and housed in a pen measuring 1½ x 2m. at 6 birds per replicate. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Each treatment group was randomly assigned to one of the experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). The hens were weighed at the begining and at the end of the trial. At the end of the trial feed intake of the laying hens increased with increase in the dietary leaf meal inclusion and became significant (P < 0.05) as from 5% dietary level. Hen-day egg production picked up as from 5.0% level. Egg weight increased steadily as the dietary level of the leaf meal increased   (P<0.05).  Egg yolk pigmentation increased with increase in dietary leaf meal and scored highest (6.86) at 10% dietary level. Egg yolk and albumin indices as well as Haugh unit and egg shell thickness were not affected by treatments (P > 0.05).

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Obikaonu, H. O., & Udedible, A. B. I. (2015). Evaluation of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal in the diets of black leghorn laying hens for protein sustaininability and national development. International Journal of Agricultural Technology, 11(5), 1089–1095. retrieved from https://li04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/IJAT/article/view/6428
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Vol. 11 No. 5 (2015): July
Section
Original Study
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