Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

One major issue in broiler production is the rising cost of feed and poultry feed additives, which have over the years necessitated the need for alternative sources of materials that can conveniently replace costly feed ingredients and remove or reduce the negative impact of synthetic feed additives. Thus, the study focuses on the impact of broiler birds fed three different leaf meal extracts (neem, moringa and lemongrass). A total number of one hundred and eighty one-day-old Sayeed broiler chicks were used to conduct the experiment. The chicks were randomly selected to four treatment groups, each consisting of forty-five birds, which were partitioned three times, with each replicate having a total of fifteen birds set out in the completely randomised design (CRD) pattern. Data were analysed using ANOVA, and significant means were separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a 5% level of significance. Results obtained for growth performance differed (p<0.05) among the groups studied. Higher values of 3357.45g, 3178.35g, 64.86g and 1.58 for final body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were obtained in treatment 4 with 15 ml/liter leaf meal extract. Cost benefit analysis proved better in treatment 4, where the total cost of production was relatively lower with a higher revenue, net profit and cost benefit ratio of #12758.31, #5253.11 and 1.43, respectively. It can be concluded that the administration of leaf meal extract of neem, moringa and lemongrass can be used up to the rate of 15 ml/liter, with the best results obtained in treatment 4 (15ml/l).