Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology

A biological experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOF) on productive and reproductive performance in layer breeders. A total of sixty-four adult white leghorn males of about fifty-five weeks of age were divided into four treatments in which each treatment carried sixteen birds based on their body weight. The birds were reared in individual cages and fed with Control (Basal diet), T₁ (0.1% MOF), T₂ (0.15% MOF) and T₃ (0.2% MOF). Biweekly body weight and feed consumption were recorded for individual birds. Blood was collected from wing vein and analysed for haematological parameters and blood plasma biochemicals. Seminal plasma biochemicals, antioxidant enzymes and fertility were recorded. The body weight and feed intake were reduced (P<0.05) in M. oleifera supplemented groups. Serum total protein and triglycerides level were higher (P<0.05) in treatment groups than control group. No significant difference was noticed in blood haematological parameters and semen biochemical parameters. Higher glutathione peroxidase activity was observed in higher dose of MOF supplemented groups. The MOF (0.10%) supplemented group had higher (P<0.05) fertility per cent compared to all the other treatment groups. In conclusion, the feeding of M. oleifera leaf powder at 0.10% level improved the reproductive performance and fertility in aged egg type breeder chickens.