Effects of neem leaf meal as protein source on haematology and serum biochemical indices of broiler chicken

The poultry industry has been rapidly expanding in recent years, and meeting nutritional requirement of birds for optimumproduction is difficult as a result of the competition between man and animals for protein source of feedstuff which has resulted in the use of unconventional feed ingredients like neem leaf to promote bird health and growth.Thisstudy was conducted to investigate the inclusionof neem leaf (Azadirachta indica) as protein source in the diet of broilerchicken. A total of one hundred-and fifty-day-oldchickswere assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design.Dietary treatments were formulated with varying levels of Neem Leaf Meal(NLM) which includes-D1 (0%NLM), D2 (5%NLM), D3(10%NLM), D4 (15%NLM) and D5 (20%NLM)with 30 birds per treatment, 10 birds per replicate.The NLM was used to replace soyabeanmealand the feeding lasted for 8weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected for hematologicaland serum biochemical indices. Result showed that packed cell volume,hemoglobin,white blood cell,platelets, eosinophils,albumin,alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and cholesterol were significantly (P<0.05) influenced with the inclusion of neem leaf in the diets of broiler chicken. Therefore, 10% NLM inclusion is recommended to boost the blood parametersin broiler birds foroptimal performance.