Comparative Efficacy of Different Herbal Plant’s Leaf Extract on Haematology, Intestinal Histomorphology and Nutrient Digestibility in Broilers

The study was planned to determine the comparative efficacy of leaf extract of Azadirachta indica, Cichorium intybus and Moringa oleifera, on haematology, intestinal histomorphology and nutrient digestibility in broilers. Day old broiler chicks (n=180) purchased from a commercial hatchery were reared in a group for one week (adaptation period). At day 8, these birds were individually weighed and 120 birds of middle weight range were randomly selected and distributed into 12 replicates (10 chicks/replicate). These replicates were further allotted to four treatment groups designated as A, B, C and D. Group A was offered water without any supplementation and served as a control. Whereas, group B, C and D were offered water supplemented with leaf extract of Azadirachta indica (4%), Cichorium intybus (2%) and Moringa oleifera (6%), @ 50 ml/l, @ 10 ml/l and @ 30 ml/l, respectively. Results of the study revealed that supplementation of Azadirachta indica leaf extract showed better nutrient digestibility of crude protein and ether extract as compared to that of control. However, digestibility of crude fiber due to the treatments remained unaffected. Stabilization of blood metabolites resulted in improved intestinal histo-morphology. The birds using Azadirachta indica fetched the highest profit as compare to the other treatment groups. Therefore, use of Azadirachta indica leaf extracts in broiler is recommended as inexpensive and efficient growth promoting agent without residual effects like antibiotic growth promoter.