Effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam) Seeds on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens: An Observational Study

Moringa oleifera is one of the traditionally useful trees for health recovery, water purification and source of food for enhancing poultry production in Sudan. A 6-week observational study was conducted to determine the performance and evaluate carcass characteristics of broilers (Ross 308) using Moringa oleifera seeds powder (MOSP). A total of 160 (one hundred sixty) day old unsexed broiler chicks were assigned into 16 pens of ten chicks each in a completely randomized design. Four experimental iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets were supplied ad-libitum. Three experimental diets containing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% MOSP and a control MOSP-free diet were used. Feed consumption, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass quality characteristics were recorded for the individual replicate of each dietary treatment. Addition of MOSP up to 1.5% to broiler chicks diet significantly (P<0.05) showed low weight gain, feed efficiency and body weight during starter period. However, during finisher and the whole period supplying broiler chicks’ diet with 0.5% MOSP resulted in significant increase (P<0.05) in feed consumption, but addition of different levels of MOSP showed no significant effects(P>0.05) on weight gain, feed efficiency, final live body weight, dressing percentage, liver weight and heart weight. Reduction in weight gain, feed efficiency and body weight due to addition of 2.0% MOSP to broilers’ diet during starter period may be due to the presence of phytate which acts as an anti-nutritional factor. Hence, the use of MOSP in the broiler diets has enhanced the performance during finisher and the whole period.