EFFECT OF NEEM (Azadirachta indica) LEAF EXTRACT IN DRINKING WATER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BROILERS

Abstract

An experiment was carried out with 120 day-old broiler chicks (Lohman Meat) to evaluate the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract in drinking water on the performance of commercial broilers. Chicks and feed were procured from Aman Poultry and Hatchery limited. The neem leaves were collected from local area of Dhupchachiya, Bogura.The treatment groups were Group A (5% NLE @ 24 ml/L water), Group B (5% NLE @ 32 ml/L water), Group C (5% NLE @ 40 ml/L water) and Group D (Control). At the end of the trial (35 days) the body weight gain were 1862, 1893.33, 1969.67 and 1800 g in Group A, B, C and D respectively. Group C had significantly higher body weight gain than others. The cumulative feed consumption of Group A, B, C and D were 3172, 3138.33, 3060 and 3177.67g respectively. Group D (control) had higher feed intake than other groups but the differences were non-significant (P>0.05). At the end of the experiment FCR values of Group A, B, C and D were found as 1.68, 1.62, 1.52 and 1.73 respectively. Group C (5% NLE @ 40 ml/L water) had significantly better (P<0.05) FCR value than other groups. It was clearly found that 5% (w/v) neem leaf extract at 40ml/L drinking water of broiler can significantly improve the live performance.