IMMUNOMODULATORY AND GROWTH PROMOTING EFFECTS OF NEEM LEAVES INFUSION IN BROILER CHICKS

A research study was conducted to investigate growth promoting and immunomodulatory effects of neem leaves’ infusion on broilers at the NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan during June and July. One hundred and sixty day-old chicks were randomly divided into four groups, designated as A, B, C and D. Each group was replicated four times with 10 chicks per replicate, reared in open sided house. Birds of group A, B and C were given 4% concentrated neem leaves’ (Azadirachta indica) infusion @ of 30ml, 40ml and 50ml L-1 of fresh drinking water respectively, and group D was kept as control. Mean feed and water intake were higher (P 0.05) in control group as compared to others. Group C exhibited better (P 0.05) mean body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and dressing percentage. Although, weight of giblet and other body organs (thigh, leg, intestine and abdominal fat) were same, significantly (P 0.05) higher mean breast weight was recorded in group C than in other groups. Mean feed cost was significantly higher for group D than A, B and C. Mean gross return for group C was significantly higher than other groups. Significantly (P 0.05) higher mortality was observed in group D as compared to group A, B and C. Mean antibody titer against Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) virus for group C was significantly (P 0.05) higher than rest of three groups. It was found that Neem (Azadirachta indica) infusion successfully improved antibody titer, growth performance and gross return at the level of 50 ml/liter of fresh drinking water.