Effects of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) on feed digestibility, growth performance and gut microbiota of broilers chickens

Authors

  • Romario Kodel Tindo Tsamene University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Ruben Ngouana Tadjong University of Douala, Institute of Fisheries and Aquatic Science of Yabassi, Aquaculture Department, Laboratory of Aquaculture and Demography of Fisheries Resources, PO Box: 2701 Douala, Cameroon.
  • Augustin Derrick Kana Sagne University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Pascaline Ciza Azine Université Evangélique en Afrique, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques et Environnement, Département de Zootechnie et Environnement, République Démocratique du Congo (RDC).
  • Mikaël Donfack University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Mama Mouchili University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Franck Mael Tchakounte University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Gilchrist Tchouan Deffo University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Langston Wilfried Edie Nounamo University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Evariste Taboumda University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.
  • Jean Raphaël Kana University of Dschang, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Animal Production and Nutrition Research Unit, PO Box: 70 Dschang, Cameroon.

Abstract

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 (R0), a positive control ration containing 1 g antibiotic/kg feed (R0+) 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 (P > 0.05) affected compared to the control ration. Neem oil induced an increase in Lactobacilli counts compared to Salmonella and Escherichia coli 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.

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Published

2022-11-15

How to Cite

Tindo Tsamene, R. K., Ngouana Tadjong, R., Kana Sagne, A. D. ., Ciza Azine, P. ., Donfack, M. ., Mouchili, M. ., Tchakounte, F. M. ., Tchouan Deffo, G. ., Edie Nounamo, L. W. ., Taboumda, E. ., & Kana, J. R. . (2022). Effects of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) on feed digestibility, growth performance and gut microbiota of broilers chickens. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 10(6), 767-775. Retrieved from http://www.sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/1733

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