Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaves Powder and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Oil on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted to assess the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves powder (NLP) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) oil (CNO) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Methods: Four hundred twenty day old commercial Vencobb 400 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 6 groups of 7 replicates each. Dietary treatments were; T0 (control: basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 2 g NLP/kg), T2 (basal diet + 4 g NLP/kg), T3 (basal diet + 100 mg CNO/kg), T4 (basal diet + 200 mg CNO/kg) and T5 (basal diet + 2 g NLP/kg + 100 mg CNO/kg). Result: Birds of supplemented groups showed improved average daily gain (ADG), better FCR and broiler performance efficiency index. Overall ADG was significantly high in T3 than other groups. The FCR of T3 and T5 groups, which were fed CNO 100 mg/kg and a combination of CNO (100 mg/kg) and NLP (2 g/kg), respectively, were better than control as well as other groups. It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of cinnamon oil (100 mg/kg) along with neem leaves powder (2 g/kg) has the potential to improve growth performance of broiler chickens. However, 100 mg/kg CNO can be recommended in the diet of broiler chickens as an alternative growth promoter for better production and optimum health status.