Addition of Moringa Oleifera Leaves Powder and Medium Chain Fatty Acids in the Diets and Their Effect on Productive Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

total number of 300 one-day old unsexed Cobb broiler chickens were initially fed a control diet for six days, then were into ten treatments, each treatment contained three replicates of ten birds. The objectives were to determine the effects of single or combined supplementation of Moringa olivera leaf meal (MOL) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) to broiler diets on productive performance. The experimental treatments were as follows: 1-Chicks were fed the control diet (D 1), 2-D 1 + 0.5g MOL/kg diet, 3-D 1 + 0.6g MOL/kg diet, 4-D 1 + 0.7 g MOL/kg diet, 5-D 1 + 0.8g MOL/kg diet, 6-D 1 + 1 g aromabiotic /kg diet, 7-D 1 + 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.5g MOL/kg diet, 8-D 1 + 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.6g MOL/kg diet, 9-D 1 + 1g aromabiotic /kg diet + 0.7g MOL/kg diet, and 10-D 1 + 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.8g MOL/kg diet. Results obtained could be summarized in the following: Chicks fed combined supplementation of 0.08% MOL +0.1% MCFAs had significantly higher live body weight at 38 day of age and body weight gain during the period from 7-38 days as compared with the control or other treatments. Also, these birds had the best significantly values of feed conversion ratio, crude protein conversion, caloric conversion ratio and higher growth rate, performance index, economical and relative efficiency during the period from 7 to 38 days compared with the control. No significant differences were noticed in slaughter parameters and immune organs% as affected by the treated groups in comparison with the control. Chicks fed diets supplemented with 0.08% MOL+ 0.1% MCFAs or 0.07% MOL+ 0.1% MCFAs had significantly higher values of white blood cells, lymphocyte (L) and H/L ratio (lower value of heterophils (H)). The level of serum aspartate aminotransferase and total cholesterol had decreased significantly in chicks fed diets supplemented with MOL plus MCFAs compared with the birds fed control or some MOL diets. The highest values (significant) of total count, lactobacillus count and immune response to Newcastle disease were recorded for chicks fed diet supplemented with 0.08% MOL +0.1% MCFAs. E.coli counts were reduced significantly by feeding all treated diets compared with the control.