Effect of supplementing neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder on carcass traits and immunological status in Japanese quails

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of Neem (Azadirachta Indica) leaf powder through feed on carcass traits and immune status in Japanese quails. For this purpose, a biological feeding trial was conducted in a completely randomized block design (CRD) on broiler Japanese quails from 1^st to 6^th weeks of age. Neem leaf powder was supplemented at graded levels (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 per cent) through feed to treatment groups (T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively) with two replicates of 15 broiler Japanese quails in each. At the end of six weeks, three birds from each replicate (6 birds/treatment) were randomly selected and slaughtered. For immunological studies the cell mediated immune response of the birds was evaluated using delayed type hypersensitivity and humoral response (serum total immunogloblulin) was estimated by zinc sulphate turbidity test. The results of present study revealed that quails of T₃ group showed significantly (P≤0.05) higher values of dressed yield with giblet and without giblet (Carcass yield), thigh and breast weight (Cut up parts), heart and spleen weight (Organ weight). However, drumsticks, back, neck and wing weights (Cut up parts), liver and gizzard weights (Organ weight) and blood loss, feather loss, head loss and shank loss (Processing losses) were not significantly affected by the supplementation of neem leaf powder in Japanese quails. Cell mediated immune response was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in all the supplemented groups with maximum in T₃ group of Japanese quails. There was increase in humoral immune response in all the neem leaf powder supplemented groups with maximum in T₄ group. The study revealed that neem leaf powder supplementation through feed at 0.2 per cent level is beneficial in improving carcass traits and immune status in Japanese quails.