EVALUATION OF THE NUTRITINAL VALUE OF NEEM (Azadirachta indica) LEAF MEAL ON THE PERFORMANCE OF FINISHER BROILERS

Feeding trials were conducted for 28days to evaluate the nutritional value of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal on the performance and economics of deep litter managed finisher broiler production. The neem leaves were harvested, air dried and milled to become neem leaf meal. It was included in the broiler finisher diets at 0,2.5,5.0,7.5 and 10% levels respectively. One hundred and fifty (150) finisher broiler birds were used for the experiment. The birds were divided into 5 groups of 30 birds each and randomly assigned to the 5 experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each group was sub–divided into 3 replicate of 10 birds each and each replicates housed in a pen, measuring 11⁄2 x2m. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for 4weeks. Proximate analysis of the air dried neem leaf meal contained–high crude fibre (15.56%) and moderate crude protein (18.10%). Body weight gain of the treatment birds decreased significantly (p<0.05) as the level of neem leaf meal increased. The control group recorded significantly (p<0.05) heavier body weight than the birds on the leaf meal diet. Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also affected by the treatments (p<0.05).The average total feed intake increased with increase in the level of leaf meal inclusion with T10 having the highest value. No mortality was recorded in all the treatment during the trial. Feed cost decreased as the level of neem leaf meal increased, with T10 recording the least cost. Costs per kg body weight gain increased as the level of Neem leaf meal inclusion increased because of their higher feed intake and lower growth rate.