Performance, Haematological and Serum Biochemical Profile of Cockerels Fed Diets Supplemented with Fermented Moringa oleifera Seeds

Attempt to combat the increasing cost of animal feed has motivated researchers interest in nonconventional feedstuffs. Moringa oleifera is known for its high nutritional and medicinal properties. Utilization of the seeds as animal feed ingredient is limited due to inherent anti-nutritional factors. This study investigated the performance, serum biochemical, haematological and carcass quality criteria of cockerels fed processed moringa seeds. The seeds were fermented with culture of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (24×10⁶ cfu/g) before incorporation in cockerel diets. Four diets were formulated consisting of a control and processed seed based diets. Ninety six un-sexed day old cockerels were fed ad libitum and water administered twice daily for six weeks. Performance indices and blood samples were taken for analysis. Feed intake and weight gain were higher (P<0.05) in cockerels fed fermented moringa based diets compared with those fed unfermented diet. The body weight of cockerels fed fermented Moringa oleifera Seed Meal (FMSM) were not different (P<0.05) from the control. Feed conversion ratios of cockerels fed fermented diets were not different (P<0.05) from the control. The haematological indices of the treatment birds and control were within normal range for a healthy bird. Cholesterol and triglyceride constituents of the cockerels fed moringa based diets were generally lower than control. The dressed carcass, thigh and breast weights of the chickens fed diet FMSM and control were not significantly different (P<0.05). However, they were higher compared with cockerels fed Fermented and Unfermented Moringa oleifera seed meal blend (FUMSM) and Unfermented Moringa oleifera seed meal (UMSM). This study suggested 20% inclusion of fermented Moringa oleifera seeds in cockerels’ diet without deleterious effect.