Abstract:
The study evaluated the comparative efficacy of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and
Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf powder on the productive performance, health status
and egg quality of commercial layer Japanese quail. A total of 27-day-old 160
Japanese quails were reared in Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University Farm, Dhaka.
Birds were divided randomly into 5 experimental groups of 4 replications and each
replication contains 8 birds. These groups were allotted to five treatment
designated as
T
1
, T
2
, T
3
, T
4
and T
5
Groups. T
1
was offered basal diet without any supplementation
and served as a control. Whereas, group T
2
,T
3
,T
4
and T
5
were offered
basal feed
supplemented with Antibiotic, Neem + moringa – 1.2%, Neem + moringa – 1.0% and
Neem + moringa – 0.75%, respectively. The results showed that the weekly feed
consumption, live body weight, egg production by number and weight and %
HDEP
were highest in T
5
(Neem + moringa – 0.75%) and at the end of 7
week it were
(1.672±0.132, 1400
a
±8.20, 572
a
±2.60, 49.75
a
±2.287 and 86.90
a
±3.30, respectively)
compared to control and other treatments. Again, T
5
(Neem + moringa – 0.75%)
showed lowest FCR (2.900
b
±0.108 at 7
th
week) whereas T
4
(Neem + moringa – 1.0%)
gave highest (3.525
a
±0.269 at 7
th
week). Similarly, T
4
(Neem + moringa – 1.0%)
showed highest survivability (100%) whereas the least (94.00
b
th
±3.50) was from T
2
(Antibiotic). Regarding quality parameters of egg, the highest shape index, albumen
index and yolk index, was found from T
4
(Neem + moringa – 1.0%), T
3
(Neem +
moringa – 1.2%) and T
2
(Antibiotic), respectively whereas T
2
(Antibiotic) showed
higher haugh unit (93.77±1.163) and T
4
(Neem + moringa – 1.0%) showed higher yolk
color fan (4.50±0.102) and T
1
(control) gave higher shell thickness (0.22±0.012). In
conclusion, it can be said that T
can positively affect the productive and health status
of broiler. In case of economic return, the highest gross return (Tk. 263.00), net return
5
(Tk. 67.50) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) (1.35) was
recorded from supplementation
treatment T
5
(Neem + moringa – 0.75%) whereas T
2 (Antibiotic) treatment gave
lowest gross return (Tk. 247.00), net return (Tk. 48.50) and BCR (1.24).
Description:
A Thesis
Submitted to the Department of Poultry Science
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
IN
POULTRY SCIENCE
SEMESTER: JANUARY- JUNE, 2021
