Evaluation of Weight Gain of Abor- Acre Broiler Chickens Supplemented With moringa Oleifera Pods, Proboiotic, Levamisole and Vitamin E / Selenium

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of Moringaoleifera pods in comparison to probiotic, levamisole and vitamin E/Selenium on the growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of 100-day-old ABOR-ACRE broiler chicks of average weight of 38 grams were purchased from hatchery in Ibadan and used for this study. The chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups (A, B, C, D and E).Group A was fed basal diet supplemented Moringaoleifera pods powder at inclusion rate of 50g/kg, group B fed basal diet supplemented with commercial probiotic (Bactofort^®) at 0.5g/kg, group C with commercial Vitamin E/Selenium (Vitamin E/Se^®100/50) in drinking water for 3 days, repeated after 14 days, group D were given Levamisole (Wormcare^®) in drinking water for 3 days, repeated after 14 days and group E served as control. Chickens in all groups were served same quantities of feed and water ad-libitum.The birds were weighed weekly and feed intake evaluated. Data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA. Results showed significant difference (p<0.05) weight gain of birds fed M. oleifera and probiotic. It was concluded that broilers diet containing M. oleifera pods powder improvelive body weight gain. It is recommended among others that M. oleifera pod supplementation at 50 g/kg can be used as growth promoter in broilers.