Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of African Postgraduate Studies - Department of Natural Resources

The present work was conducted to evaluate Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as a plant protein source of broiler diets and studying the effect of increasing MOLM levels in broiler diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics. In this study, 320 one day-old broiler chicks (Cobb500) were randomly distributed into 8 treatments, with 4 replicates and 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. Four levels of MOLM and two levels of enzymes preparation were used in a 4 x 2 factorial arrangement.The MOLM levels were 0, 2.5, 5 and 7.5%. (treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4) inclusion levels respectively, in a complete randomized design experiment. The basal diet were formulated as control according to strain guide recommendations and used for the starter, grower and finisher.A commercial enzyme (Avemix {u2013} xg 10) was added at 0 and 0.01% of the diet. Water and feed in mash form were offered ad-libitum during the experimental period which lasted for 36 day of age. Results showed that significant differences were observed among MOLM levels for the average values of BW, BWG, FI and FCR. Results obtained indicated that feeding broiler chicks on diets containing different levels of MOLM up to 7.5% with or without enzyme supplementation improved body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion values. Either of MOLM levels, enzyme supplementation, or their interaction did not affect the average values of carcass characteristics. In conclusion, use of MOLM at 2.5% with enzymes recorded the best results compared to other treatments. Whoever, the results obtained cleared that MOLM can be successfully fed at levels up to 7.5% in broiler diets, without adverse effect on their performance and carcass yield

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