Title of article :
The Relationship between Feed Conversion Ratio, Feed Intake and Body Weight Gain of Broilers fed Moringa oleifera Leaf Supplemented Feed Following Challenged with Very Virulent Infectious Bursal Disease Virus
Author/Authors :
Gana Balami, Arhyel Department of Veterinary Medicine - University of Maiduguri, Nigeria , James Enam, Samson Department of Veterinary Pathology - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria , Garba Sule, Adamu Department of Veterinary Public Health - University of Maiduguri, Nigeria , Nyeta Patrob, Maryam Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology - University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria , Ayuba Abdu, Paul Department of Veterinary Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria , Adam Chiroma, Mohammed Department of Veterinary Pathology - University of Maiduguri, Nigeria , Waka, Aliyu Mohammed Department of Veterinary Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria , Aluwong, Tagang Department of Veterinary Physiology - Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Abstract :
The relationship between weekly feed conversion ratios (WFCR), weekly feed intake (WFI) and weekly body weight gain (WBWG) of broilers fed Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) supplemented feed and challenged with a very virulent infectious bursal disease virus was assessed. Two hundred and forty day-old Ross 308 hybrid broiler chicks were randomly assigned into groups A, B, C and D of 60 chicks each and raised in deep litter type housing. Broiler starter (BS) and broiler finisher (BF) mash were formulated each with 5% MOL included as part of the feed ingredient for broilers in groups A and B while BS and BF for broilers in groups C and D were formulated without MOL. Broilers in groups A, B and C were challenged intraocularly at 35 days of age with 0.05 ml of a live vvIBDV while those in group D served as control. Weekly feed intake (WFI), weekly body weight gain (WBWG) and weekly feed conversion ratio (WFCR) were correlated for each group. Broilers in groups A, C and D showed a strong negative significant correlation (r = 0.9999, p = 0.0001) between WFCR and WFI, and between WBWG and WFCR, and a strong positive significant correlation (r = 1.0000, p = 0.0001) between WBWG and WFI from week 1 to 7. While broilers in group B only showed a strong negative significant correlation (r = 0.9999, p = 0.0001) between WFCR and WFI from week 1 to 7. Moringa oleifera leaf supplemented diet lowers the FCR of broilers in group B during infection with IBD virus which consequently increases their body weight gain.
Keywords :
Broilers , Moringa oleifera leaf , Weekly feed conversion ratio , Weekly body weight gain , Correlation
