Enhancing Broiler Growth: Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract and Indigenous Cow Urine Supplementation

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera methanolic leaf extract (MLE) and indigenous cow urine distillate (CUD) on growth performance, carcass and organ weight in broiler birds. 150 nos. day-old broiler chicks (Ross AP strain) were divided into 5 treatment groups, each with 3 replicates of 10 birds were reared for 42days. The treatment groups were as follows: Group C (Control) consisted of a basal diet, group S (Standard) consisted of a basal diet with Enradin as an antibiotic @ 0.025% in feed, group T1 consisted of M. oleifera @ 1g/L in drinking water (0.1%) + basal feed, group T2 consisted of Cow urine distillate @ 10ml/L in drinking water (1%) + basal feed, and group T3 consisted of a combination of M. oleifera @ 1g/L (0.1%) and cow urine distillate @ 10ml/L in drinking water (1%) + basal feed. Although, at 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th week it was significantly (P˂0.05, ˂0.01 and ˂0.001) increased body weight in the birds of S, T1, T2 and T3 groups as compared to the C (Control) group. Also, the average weekly body weight gain at 1st and 2nd week, while it was significantly (P˂0.05, <0.01 and <0.001) increased in the birds of S, T1, T2 and T3 groups as compared to the C (control) during 3rd and 4th week of administration. It is concluded that incorporation of Moringa oleifera methanolic leaf extract and indigenous cow urine distillate alone and in combination through drinking water is beneficial in terms of growth performance.