Performance of broiler chicks fed on alkali‐treated neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel cake as a protein supplement

Abstract

1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate growth and nutrient efficiency of broiler chicks from 3 to 42 d fed on diets containing alkali-treated neem (Azadirachta indica A. juss) kernel cake (NKC) as a protein supplement in place of peanut meal (PNM). 2. NKC was treated with sodium hydroxide at 10 (ANKC 1) or 20 g (ANKC 2)/kg and incorporated into the test diets at 135 or 300 g/kg to replace 50 (low-L) or 100 (High-H)% of the PNM protein of the reference diet. 3. Despite comparable retentions of dry matter and total carbohydrate on L-ANKC 1 and 2, fibre on L-and H-ANKC 2 and nitrogen, calcium and acid detergent fibre on all experimental diets compared to the retentions of chicks on the reference diet, only the chicks fed L-ANKC 2 were found to grow and utilise food as well as those on the reference diet. 4. The activities of serum alkaline phosphatase on H-ANKC 1 and alanine amino transferase on all test diets were depressed (P < 0.05), but the activity of serum aspartate amino transferase, total erythrocyte count and concentration of blood haemoglobin and urea were similar in all chicks. 5. No significant differences were noticed in the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the meat of chicks fed on the reference diet and on diets incorporating ANKC at the lower concentrations. Feeding ANKC protein did not impart any untoward taste as evaluated in pressure cooked meat by a semitrained panel on a 7 point Hedonic scale. 6. Except for duodenal and jejunal inflammation in chicks on both reference and test diets, all the vital organs were normal, ruling out any adverse affects caused by residual neem bitters. 7. Comparable performance and cost of chicks fed on the reference and L-ANKC 2 diets, warrants the utilisation of hitherto wasted protein-rich NKC after alkali treatment in broiler chick diets to spare peanut meal for human consumption in developing countries.

Performance and hematological parameters of broilers fed neem, turmeric,<br>vitamin e and their combinations

“…Diets containing turmeric alone recorded lowest value of hemoglobin whereas in combination with neem and vitamin E the values were higher indicating the additive effect. These findings were in agreement with Nagalakshmi et al (1996) who opined that neem possess strong influence on the hematological traits in broilers particularly hemoglobin. Contrary to our findings, Biu et al (2009) and Akbari et al (2008) opined that inclusion of neem and vitamin E at higher levels in the diets of broilers significantly decreases hemoglobin concentrations.…”

“…The dietary inclusion of neem alone in the diet of broilers significantly (P≤0.05) increased TLC value as compared to that of other treatments and control. The present findings were in contrary to the findings of Esonu et al (2006) who found significant reduction in circulatory leukocytes on feeding 10 % neem leaf meal layer diet and to Nagalakshmi et al (1996) and Akbari et al (2008) who reported no significant effect of inclusion of neem on total leukocyte count in broiler diet. The result on the effect of turmeric obtained in the present study were in line with the findings of Kumari et al (2007) who reported no negative effect on circulating leukocytes in broilers.…”

Effects of Tulsi Leaf Extract on Body Weight Gain in Broiler Production

“…This study has revealed that tulsi extract had no significant effect on the hematological parameters (Table 4). This findings, however, does not agree with Nagalakshmi et al (1996) and Gowda et al (1998) who reported that bitter principles of medicinal plants possess a strong influence on hematological traits particularly PCV and Hb of subjects, depending on their nutritional status.…”

Efficacy of tulsi leaves and neem leaves extract in broiler production

“…This study has revealed that NTL extract had no significant effect on the hematological parameters (Table 4). This finding, however, does not agree with Nagalakshmi et al (1996) and Gowda et al (1998) who reported that bitter principles of medicinal plants possess a strong influence on hematological traits particularly PCV and Hb of subjects, depending on their nutritional status. Supplementation with neem and tulsi extract was more profitable than control group (Table 3) but the difference was not significant (p>0.05).…”