Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Imposes Better Feed Utilization in Broiler Chicks

The aqueous extract and dried powder of Moringa oleifera leaf was evaluated on Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in broiler chicks. Fifty no. of day old chicks were kept into 5 groups each contain 10 chicks. First two (T1 and T2) were fed with aqueous extract and dried powder of Moringa oleifera respectively each @ 250 mg/kg b.wt. For comparison, a levamisole fed group T3 was included, to compare the immunomodulatory effect of the preparations of M. oleifera with that of a known positive immunomodulator, which was fed @10 mg/kg b.wt. The other two groups T4 and T5 included in the experimental design served as the vaccinated and unvaccinated control groups’ respectively. M. oleifera fed groups showed better FCR than levamisole treated groups followed by vaccinated and unvaccinated control groups of chicks. No mortality was recorded in tested groups. Overall M. oleifera showed significant (P<0.05) increase in average body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency in the birds.