Dietary inclusion of neem leaf powder on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and profitability of broilers

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder (NLP) over a period of 35 days on the growth performance, dressing parameters, serum biochemical parameters and profitability of broiler meat. Day old broiler chicks (n = 320) were randomly assigned to five dietary groups, each with four replicates. The dietary treatment groups were; control (basal diet; no additives), antibiotic (basal diet + antibiotic), NLP 0.25% (basal diet + 0.25% NLP), NLP 0.375% (basal diet + 0.375% NLP) and NLP 0.50% (basal diet + 0.50% NLP). Results showed that the body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and FCR were differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treatment groups. Body weight and body weight gain were higher in antibiotic, NLP 0.25% and NLP 0.375% group compare to the NLP 0.50% group. Total feed intake was not different significantly (P>0.05). Better (P<0.05) FCR was observed in NLP 0.25% group as such as antibiotic group compare to the control and NLP 0.50% group. The results also showed that dressing parameters were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the dietary groups. Serum glucose, triglyceride, GOT, GPT and cholesterol level were non-significant (P>0.05) among the dietary groups. However, HDL was significantly (P<0.05) higher in NLP 0.25% group compared to the control group. Higher profitability was found in NLP-0.25% group and antibiotic group when all the birds were sold at market price. It can be concluded that the addition of NLP to broiler diet had a positive effect on growth performances but no negative effect on dressing parameters and serum biochemical parameters. Moreover, NLP at the level of 0.25% increases HDL level and improve profitability. It can be suggested that neem leaf powder up to 0.375% could be potential feed additive in broiler diet. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2021. 50 (2): 114-122