Effect of feeding graded levels of Moringa stenopetala leaf meal on growth performance, carcass traits and some serum biochemical parameters of Koekoek chickens

The aim of the present study was to evaluate Moringa stenopetala leaf meal (MLM) as alternative cheap source of protein in the diets of grower Koekoek chicken breeds. Two hundred 15-day old chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments consisting of a control diet (T1) and those containing MLM at the levels of 50 g/kg (T2), 80 g/kg (T3), 110 g/kg (T4) and 140 g/kg (T5) replacing the roasted soybean of the control diet. The experimental period lasted for 14 weeks inclusive of 2 weeks of diet adaptation. The results indicated that chickens reared on diets containing MLM consumed more (p<0.01) feed than those of the control diet. There were no significant differences in feed conversion ratio among treatment diets except in those fed T5 which had the lowest value. Chickens fed on T2, T3 and T4 had higher (p<0.01) weight gain and final body weight values than those fed T1 and T5 diets. Chickens fed T3, T4 and T5 diets had higher (p<0.01) weights of dressed carcass, thighs, drumsticks and wings than those of the control diet (T1). Significantly (p<0.01) higher slaughter weight was obtained from chickens fed T3 and T4 diets than those of T1. Chickens fed T4 and T5 diets had the highest dressing and breast yields which differed (p<0.01) from the other treatment diets. Serum total protein levels increased (p<0.05) in chickens fed MLM. The values of serum alanine transaminase and of serum urea were reduced (p<0.05) in chickens fed T3 and T4 diets. It can be concluded that Moringa stenopetala leaf meal could be used as alternative cheap source of protein for the emerging poultry industry of tropical regions.