http://www.sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/issue/feedScientific Journal of Animal Science2022-11-10T00:00:00+00:00Executive Managing Editoronlinesjournals@gmail.comOpen Journal Systems<p>The Scientific Journal of Animal Science (SJAS)is an international peer-reviewed journal publishing original scientific papers, reviews and short communications on animal science, animal production and related areas. It includes sections on: animal derived food quality; reproduction and physiology (ruminants and non-ruminants); animal production (management, behaviour, welfare, health); nutrition and feeding (ruminant and non-ruminant); genetics (quantitative and molecular) and breeding; aquaculture.</p>http://www.sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/1733Effects of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) on feed digestibility, growth performance and gut microbiota of broilers chickens2022-10-03T21:46:28+00:00Romario Kodel Tindo Tsamenekoderomario@gmail.comRuben Ngouana Tadjongkoderomario@gmail.comAugustin Derrick Kana Sagnekoderomario@gmail.comPascaline Ciza Azinekoderomario@gmail.comMikaël Donfackkoderomario@gmail.comMama Mouchilikoderomario@gmail.comFranck Mael Tchakountekoderomario@gmail.comGilchrist Tchouan Deffokoderomario@gmail.comLangston Wilfried Edie Nounamokoderomario@gmail.comEvariste Taboumdakoderomario@gmail.comJean Raphaël Kanakoderomario@gmail.com<p>Antibiotics residues were reported to accumulate in animal farm products and equally develop resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of neem seeds oil as antibiotic substute on feed digestibility, growth performance and gut microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 336 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatments replicated 3 times with 16 chicks each (8 males, 8 females). The experimental rations consisted of a control ration without supplementation (R<sub>0</sub>), a positive control ration containing 1 g antibiotic/kg feed (R<sub>0</sub>+) and five other rations supplemented with 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g of neem oil/kg feed respectively. No significant differences were observed on the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein at any oil level compared to the control rations. Following digestibility, the highest values of dry matter (78.53 ±2.54 %), organic matter (83.77 ± 1.14 %) and crude protein (91.28 ±1.15 %) were respectively recorded in animals fed 6 g neem oil/kg feed. With the exception of birds fed 1 g neem oil/kg feed, feed intake, live weight, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved with this oil as feed additive. The lowest FCR value (2.01 ± 0.03) was recorded with 6 g neem oil/kg feed. Carcass characteristics were not significantly (<em>P > 0.05</em>) affected compared to the control ration. Neem oil induced an increase in <em>Lactobacilli </em>counts compared to <em>Salmonella</em> and <em>Escherichia coli </em>counts. In conclusion, neem oil at 6 g/kg feed, improved feed palatability, stabilize gut microbiota thereby favoring a better absorption of nutrients and thus improve growth performance of broilers.</p>2022-11-15T00:00:00+00:00Copyright (c) 2022 Romario Kodel Tindo Tsamene, Ruben Ngouana Tadjong, Augustin Derrick Kana Sagne, Pascaline Ciza Azine, Mikaël Donfack, Mama Mouchili, Franck Mael Tchakounte, Gilchrist Tchouan Deffo, Langston Wilfried Edie Nounamo, Evariste Taboumda, Jean Raphaël Kana