Estimating the Nutritional Value of the Leaves of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> on Poultry

Abstract

In this study, we validated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves as food supplement on poultry. Proximate neutron activation analysis was used in determining the level of some of the vital nutritional minerals and potential toxic elements in the serum of the birds during the experimental process, including Magnesium, Copper, Vanadium, Chlorine, Aluminum, Manganese, Calcium, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Sodium and Potassium. Incorporation of Moringa oleifera leaves in maize meal fed to poultry showed profound, statistically significant effect on their weight (p > 0.05) as well as intensity in coloration of the beaks and legs, combs and wattles, in contrast to a control (maize-meal only) feeding of broilers (p > 0.05). Moreover, a significant level of the biochemical minerals of serum Calcium (1.17 - 1.20 mmol · L -1 ), Sodium (141.6 - 152.6 mmol · L -1 ), Potassium (4.1 - 5.7 mmol · L -1 ), Chloride (95 - 110 mmol · L -1 ), Albumen (30 - 55 mmol · L -1 ) and Triglyceride (0.3 - 1.7 mmol · L -1 ) were observed in broilersfed with the formulated Moringa oleifera leaves and maize meal as compared to the maize meal only (control). Addition of Maringa oleifera leaves to poultry feed will lead to high output performance in poultry production.