World Applied Sciences Journl 19 (6): 800-805, 2012 ISSN 1818-4952 IDOSI Pulictions, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wsj.2012.19.06.827 Medicinl Response of Broiler Chickens to Diets Contining Neem (Azdircht indic) Lef Mel, Hemtology nd Met Sensory Anlysis F.R.K. Bonsu, J.K. Kgy-Agyemng, W.K.J. Kwenin nd H.K. Znu Deprtment of Animl Science Eduction, University of Eduction, Winne, Mmpong-Ashnti, Ghn Astrct: The medicinl response, hemtologicl prmeters nd met sensory nlysis of roilers to diets contining neem lef mel (NLM) were studied in n 8-week tril. The experiment ws in two phses: growing chicks phse (0-3 week) nd finisher phse (4-8 weeks). In phse I, totl of 400 dy-old unsexed co hyrid roiler chicks were rndomly llotted in equl numers to 4 tretments. Forty five chicks from ech tretment were wing tgged to form 3 replictes of 15 chicks ech. In phse 2, 180 irds were llotted to the 4-tretments which hd 3 replictes mde up of 15 irds ech in Completely Rndomized Design (CRD). Four strter diets nd finisher diets were formulted to contin the NLM t 0%, 1.5%, 2.0% nd 2.5% dietry levels nd were fed d liitum in phses 1 nd 2 respectively. Results showed tht feed intke in oth phses were not significntly (P>0.05) influenced y inclusion of the NLM in the diets. Body weight gin ws significntly (P<0.05) depressed in irds fed the NLM diets when compred with the control which dversely ffected the conversion efficiency rtio. The NLM inclusion controlled coccidiosis, worm infesttion nd respirtory infections effectively in those irds fed the NLM diets compred with the control. Crcss chrcteristics were not significntly (P>0.05) influenced y the NLM lthough mild itter tste ws sensed in the 2.5% inclusion level when the met ws not slted. The generl hemtologicl dt ws not significntly (P>0.05) influenced y the NLM. However, white lood cells (WBC) were significntly (P<0.05) higher in the control compred with those irds fed the NLM diets. Totl profit ws reltively higher for irds fed the NLM diets when compred with the control diet. It ws concluded tht NLM cn e good herl medicine for roiler production side its nutritionl importnce. Key words: Antimicroil resistnce Neem lef mel Herl medicine Chemicl- free production INTRODUCTION Attempts t ddressing these chllenges hve focused on exploittion of non- conventionl feed The importnce of poultry industry to the socio- resources nd herl medicine motivted y recent economic development of ny country cnnot e consumer preference towrds chemicl- free production. overemphsized s result of its ility to provide niml The neem (Azdircht indic) elonging to the protein t reltively shorter durtion t resonle cost Melicee fmily nd fst growing evergreen tree to the consumer. However, in most developing countries, hs potentil to provide medicinl nd nutritive the rte of popultion growth hs not corresponded with vlue to roilers [3]. Vrious prts of the tree hve the growth of the poultry industry nd therefore rises een reported to contin chemicls like zdirctin, food security concerns. The growth nd expnsion of the nimin, nimindin, quercetin mong others [4-6] industry is confronted y high cost of feed nd drugs [1] which hve ntimicroil, ntihelminth, ntioxidnt, nd their occsionl shortges. Additionlly, the use of ntifungl, insecticidl, ntiprotozo nd spermicidl [7] ntimicroil gents s growth promotnts re eing properties. discourged due to humn nd niml helth issues This experiment ws conducted to investigte the minly resulting from development of ntimicroil medicinl vlue of neem lef mel (NLM) in controlling resistnce [2]. coccidiosis, respirtory infections nd worm infesttion Corresponding Author: F.R.K. Bonsu, Deprtment of Animl Science Eduction, University of Eduction, Winne, Mmpong-Ashnti, Ghn. Tel: +233-208121420, Fx: +233-3222022232. 800
while ssessing the nutritive vlue nd effect of itter neem tste on the roiler met in commercil poultry enterprise. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimentl Loction: The experiment ws conducted t the Poultry Section of the Animl Frm of the Deprtment of Animl Science Eduction, University of Eduction, Winne, Mmpong-Ashnti, Ghn. Mmpong-Ashnti is locted t 07 03 N, 01 24 W nd t ltitude of 457 m ove se level. The men nnul rinfll ws out 1500 mm. The men monthly temperture ws 32 C while the men reltive humidity ws 90% in the morning (06.00h) nd 55% in the fternoon (15.00h). Experimentl Design nd Procedure There Were Two Phses to this Experiment: In phse 1, totl of 400 dy-old unsexed co commercil roiler chicks were used. The chicks were distriuted to 4 tretment groups, ech mde up of 100 chicks in 4- rooder rooms. Forty five irds from ech tretment were winged tgg forming 3 replictes of 15 irds ech. Wter nd strter diet (Tle 1) for the 4- respective tretments were offered d liitum. In phse 2, one hundred nd eighty irds mde up of 15 irds with mle:femle rtio of 8:7 similr weight nd were llotted to the replictes in Completely Rndomised Design (CRD). There were 4 tretments nd 3 replictes, ech replicte hd 15 irds selected from their respective tretment from the previous phse which ensured 2 continuity. Ech ird hd spce of 0.2 m. Finisher diet (Tle 2) for the 4- respective tretments ws offered d liitum. Processing of Neem Lef Mel: Fresh leves of the neem tree were hrvested nd sun-dried for four dys on polythene sheets until they ecme crispy while retining the greenish colourtion. The leves were turned regulrly to prevent uneven drying nd decy. The dried leves were then hmmer milled through 2 mm sieve nd stored in irtight gs until they were used. Dt Collection: Dt were collected on growth prmeters, helth conditions, crcss chrcteristics, sensory nlysis nd hemtologicl studies. Proximte composition of the NLM nd diets were performed using the procedure outlined y the A.O.A.C [8]. Tle 1: Composition nd clculted nlysis of dietry tretments (strter diet) Tretment ----------------------------------------------------------- Feed ingredients T1 T2 T3 T4 Mize 58 58 58 58 Fish mel 15 15 15 15 Tun fish mel 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 Soy en mel 9 9 9 9 Whet rn 10 8.5 8 7.5 Oyster shell 1 1 1 1 Diclcium phosphte 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Vitmin premix 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Common slt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Neem lef mel 0 1.5 2 2.5 Totl 100kg 100kg 100kg 100kg Clculted Anlysis Crude protein (%) 23.08 23.08 23.08 23.08 Crude fire (%) 2.15 2.15 2.15 2.15 Ether Extrct (%) 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7 Metolisle energy (Kcl/kg) 2930.28 2903.82 2895 2886.18 *Vitmin minerl premix provided the following per kg of diet: Fe 100mg, Mn 110mg, Cu 20mg, Zn 100mg, I 2mg, Se 0 2mg, Co 0 6mg, snoquin 0 6mg, retinl 2000mg, choleclciferol 25mg, -tocopherol 23000mg, mendione 1 33mg, colmin 0 03mg, thimin 0 83mg, rioflvin 2mg, folic cid 0 33mg, iotin 0 03mg, pntothenic cid 3 75mg, nicin 23 3mg, pyridoxine 1 33mg. Tle 2: Percentge Composition of Experimentl Diet (Finisher Diet) Dietry Tretment ----------------------------------------------------------- Feed ingredient T1 T2 T3 T4 Mize 58 58 57 57 Fish mel 8 8 8 8 Tun fish mel 7 7 7 7 Soy en mel 8 8 8 8 Whet rn 15.5 14 14.5 14 Oyster shell 2 2 2 2 Diclcium phosphte 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Vitmin premix 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Common slt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Neem lef mel 0 1.5 2 2.5 Totl 100kg 100kg 100kg 100kg Clculted Anlysis Crude protein (%) 19.7 19.7 19.8 19.8 Crude fire (%) 3.11 3.25 3.33 3.06 Ether Extrct (%) 3.64 3.73 3.67 3.67 Metolisle energy (Kcl/kg) 2834.22 2816.58 2370.16 2591.02 *Vitmin minerl premix provided the following per kg of diet: Fe 100mg, Mn 110mg, Cu 20mg, Zn 100mg, I 2mg, Se 0 2mg, Co 0 6mg, snoquin 0 6mg, retinl 2000mg, choleclciferol 25mg, -tocopherol 23000mg, mendione 1 33mg, colmin 0 03mg, thimin 0 83mg, rioflvin 2mg, folic cid 0 33mg, iotin 0 03mg, pntothenic cid 3 75mg, nicin 23 3mg, pyridoxine 1 33mg 801
Helth Conditions: The generl conditions of irds were oserved visully for normlity nd symptoms of respirtory infections. Fecl smples were tken from the fourth to eighth week for lortory detection of worms infesttion nd coccidin spp. The degree of presence ws indicted with (+) for less severe, (++) for severe nd (+++) for highly severe nd (-) for sent. Sensory Anlysis: Chicken rest met smples were stemed seprtely with 60 ml of wter to temperture of 100 C for 10 minutes to produce cooked met smples. Equl quntities of slt (tht is 2.0 g of grnulted iodted slt) were dded to chicken rest met smples to produce slted cooked rest met. The temperture-time tretment ws monitored using Digitl Cooking Thermometer with Proe nd Timer with 0 C to 200 C rnge. Cooked chicken rest met smples were sliced into cues of uniform sizes nd served wrm to 8 trined sensory pnelists. Eight different met cues (representing 8 tretments) were wrpped in luminium foil, leled with rndom 3-digit codes nd presented rndomly to pnelists in different orders. The tretments for sensory evlution were s follows: Unslted (T1) nd slted cooked rest met (T2) from chickens fed neem-free diets. Unslted (T3) nd slted cooked rest met (T4) from chickens fed 1.5% neem diet. Unslted (T5) nd slted cooked rest met (T6) from chickens fed 2.0% neem diet. Unslted (T7) nd slted cooked rest met (T8) from chickens fed 2.5% neem diet. The trined sensory pnelist evluted met colour, met color intensity, rom, juiciness, texture, flvour, norml flvour nd overll cceptility of met. The sensory qulities of the met were evluted with 7- point ctegory scle s follows: Yellowish Met Color Intensity: 1-extremely light; 2-very light; 3-slightly light; 4-moderte; 5-slightly intense; 6- very intense; 7-extremely intense. Juiciness: 1-extremely dry; 2-very dry; 3-slightly dry; 4- moderte; 5-slightly juicy; 6-very juicy; 7-extremely juicy. Tenderness: 1-extremely tender; 2-very tender; 3-slightly tender; 4-moderte; 5-slightly tough; 6-very tough; 7- extremely tough. Chicken Flvour Intensity: 1-extremely wek; 2-very wek; 3-slightly wek; 4-moderte; 5-slightly intense; 6- very intense; 7-extremely intense. Anorml Flvour Intensity: 1-extremely wek; 2-very wek; 3-slightly wek; 4-moderte; 5-slightly intense; 6- very intense; 7-extremely intense. Overll Acceptility of Met: 1-extremely uncceptle; 2-very uncceptle; 3-slightly uncceptle; 4-moderte; 5-slightly cceptle; 6-very cceptle; 7-extremely cceptle. Hemtologicl Studies: After feed withdrwl for 12 h, lood smples were collected rndomly from the jugulr vein of two irds from ech replicte into nticogulnt (heprin) ottles nd nlyzed for totl red lood cells (RBC), hemogloin (H), pcked cell volume (PCV), white lood cells (WBC) nd serum cholesterol using Hemtologicl Auto Anlyzer. Sttisticl Anlysis: Dt collected were sujected to Anlysis of Vrince with Genstt [9]. The lest significnt difference (LSD) ws used to seprt tretment mens t 5% significnce level. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Proximte Composition: The result of the proximte composition of the NLM is presented in Tle 3. Result otined is similr to tht reported y Schmutterer [3]. The crude protein otined in this study is lower thn 20.68% nd 24.06% respectively reported y Esonu et l. [10] Onyimonyi et l. [11]. The crude fire otined is however lower thn 16.6% reported y [10] nd higher thn the 12% reported y Onyimonyi et l. [11]. Differences in nutrient composition re ttriuted to differences in soil nutrient composition nd lef ge. Growth Performnce: The growth performnce of the irds in the strter nd the finisher phse re presented in Tle 4&5 respectively. Men feed intke for the strter nd finisher roilers were not significntly influenced y the inclusion of NLM in the diet. Birds fed diets tht contined NLM hd similr higher feed intke compred with the control diet. Reduction in feed intke ws expected for irds fed the NLM diet s result of reduced pltility from the highly itter neem tste ut ws not the cse in this present study perhps due to reltively lower levels of the NLM used. Men ody weight gin ws significntly (P<0.05) higher in the 802
Tle 3: Proximte composition of neem lef mel Components Percentge Crude protein 15.8 Crude fire 14.6 Ether extrct 8.5 Ash 4.5 Moisture 13.0 NFE 56.6 Tle 4: Growth performnce of roiler chicks fed with neem lef mel Tretments ------------------------------------------------------- Prmeter T1 T2 T3 T4 S.E.M Initil ody weight(g/ird) 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 0.00 Finl ody weight(g/ird) 680.0 c 640.4 d 628.6 659.6 1.63 Men Feed Intke (g/ird) 1315 1413 1393 1413 24.90 Men weight gin (g/ird) 620 580.4 583.6 599.6 11.31 Feed Conversion Rtio 2.12 2.44 2.39 2.36 0.01 Vlues with different superscripts in row differ significntly (P<0.05) Tle 5: Effects of NLM on growth performnce of roiler finishers Tretments ----------------------------------------------- Prmeters T1 T2 T3 T4 S.E.M Initil ody weight (g/ird) 704.4 712.2 677.8 691.1 8.14 Finl ody weight (g/ird) 2330 2223 c 2022 c 2028 81.6 Men Feed intke (g/ird) 4352 4292 4298 4292 83.7 Men weight gin (g/ird) 1626 1511 1344 1337 31.4 Feed Conversion Rtio 3.15 3.61 4.03 4.01 0.19 Vlues with different superscripts in row differ significntly (P<0.05) control irds thn in irds fed the diet tht contined the NLM 1.5% nd 2% ut not 2.5% nd therefore influenced the feed conversion rtio in fvour of the control in the strter phse. Feed intke ws not significntly influenced y NLM in the finisher phse. However, ody weight gin ws significntly (P<0.05) hevier for irds fed the control diet nd the diet tht contined NLM t 1.5% compred with irds fed the NLM diet t 2% nd 2.5%. Feed conversion rtio followed pttern similr to ody weight gin. Depressed ody weight gin t level ove 0.5% NLM ws reported nd ttriuted to the itter nd stringent tste of the NLM [12]. Helth of Birds: The helth of irds fed diets tht contined the NLM ws generlly good. Mortlity tht occurred ws during the rooding phse nd none occurred in the finisher phse. Coccidiosis ttck ws minly oserved on irds fed the control diet s evidenced y loody droppings nd lortory determintion (Tle 6). A few of the irds fed the diet tht contined NLM t 1.5% hd the coccidiosis nd respirtory prolem ut ws completely sent from the irds tht hd the NLM included t 2% nd 2.5%. Tle 6: Effects of NLM on helth performnce of roiler chickens Tretments -------------------------------------------- Prmeters T1 T2 T3 T4 Coccidiosis infection ++ + - - Respirtory infection + + - - Worms infesttion +++ - - - (+++) Highly Severe ( -) Asent (++ ) Severe (+) Less Severe Tle 7: Effect of NLM on crcss chrcteristics of roilers Experimentl Diet ------------------------------------------------------------- Prmeter T1 T2 T3 T4 S.E.M Live weight 2371 2320 2156 2170 112.3 Hert weight 12.00 12.00 10.00 10.67 1.06 Gizzrd weight 40.50 39.67 38.50 34.33 3.59 Ft Isolted 62.33 54.17 40.67 50.00 5.36 Intestine weight 99.5 108.3 100.3 100.5 8.96 Liver weight 47.80 41.50 47 43.67 9.07 Dressed weight 1816 1781 1639 1645 85.9 Percentge Dressed 76.61 76.76 76.04 75.82 0.74 Mens with common letters in horizontl rows re significntly (P<0.05) different Fecl smples tken were found to contin numer of round worms. Gizzrd content contined rther profuse quntity of the round worms in irds fed the control diet wheres those irds fed the diet tht contined the NLM hd no such worms. Some of the irds infected with coccidiosis nd worms were isolted nd given the diet tht contined NLM t 2.5% nd these irds recovered lthough minute trces of the coccidin were detected from lortory nlysis. This indicted tht the NLM indeed hs the potentil side nutritionl vlue to control coccidiosis nd worms infesttion when used s prt of feed ingredients in roiler diet. NLM could lso serve s herl medicine in poultry production s wy of reducing the cost of mediction. Crcss Chrcteristics: The overll crcss chrcteristics were not influenced y the NLM in the diets of the roilers (Tle 7). Orgn weights nd the dressing percent were not significntly (P>0.05) influenced y the NLM indicting tht inclusion t the present levels my not cuse ny detrimentl effect on the orgns. Ft deposition hd positive correltion with energy concentrtion of the diet. Ft isolted from the lower domen ws significntly (P<0.05) higher in the control irds when compred with tht of irds fed the NLM t 2% ut did not differ significntly (P>0.05) from the NLM t 1.5% nd 2.5%. 803
Tle 8: Effect of NLM on hemtologicl prmeters Tretments ---------------------------------------------------------------- Prmeters T1 T2 T3 T4 SEM H (g/dl) 10.23 11.77 8.80 10.60 2.33 PCV (%) 28.03 31.13 23.33 28.87 2.89 12 RBC x 10 /l 2.250 2.650 1.910 2.283 0.34 9 WBC x 10 L 29.43 18.13 7.03 16.83 5.40 Serum Cholesterol (mg/dl) 103.67 91.33 102.67 87.33 9.66 Vlues with different superscript in row differ significntly (P<0.05) Tle 9: Effect of NLM on cost enefit nlysis Tretment ------------------------------------- Description T1 T2 T3 T4 Totl feed intke (kg) 5.667 5.705 5.691 5.705 Per unit feed cost (GH ) 0.811 0.808 0.805 0.804 Totl feed cost (GH /ird) 4.36 4.39 4.36 4.36 Totl drug cost (GH (0-8wk)/ird) 0.30 0.10 0.10 0.10 Other cost per ird (GH ) 2.15 2.15 2.15 2.15 Totl cost of production/ ird (GH ) 6.81 6.64 6.61 6.61 Income/ ird (GH ) 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 Profit on cost of production/ird (GH ) 9 5.36 5.39 5.39 Hemtologicl Studies: Blood H, RBC nd pcked cell volume were not significntly (P>0.05) influenced y the NLM t the present level of inclusion (Tle 8). However, WBC were significntly higher for the control irds when compred with tht of irds fed diets tht contined NLM t 2% ut not t 1.5% or 2.5% level lthough the control hd higher numericl vlue. The higher WBC in the control indictes prole disese condition which might hve stimulted the production of WBC to fight ginst the potentil custive gent. The reltively lower WBC of the irds fed the NLM diets could e ttriuted to the inclusion of the NLM which fought ginst potentil disese threts efore the ody s system could e stimulted to produce WBC. Serum cholesterol ws not significntly ffected y the inclusion of the NLM t the present level, lthough lower numericl vlues were recorded for those irds fed the NLM. Cost Benefit Anlysis: Per kg cost of feed ws reduced y the inclusion of the NLM in the diet. However, due to reltively higher feed intke during the strter phse y irds fed the diet tht contined the NLM, totl feed cost ws similr for ll tretments. As result of svings mde from not providing drugs to irds fed the diets tht contined the NLM, higher profit ccrued ecuse oth moridity nd mortlity rtes were low or controlled(tle 9). Tle 10: Sensory ttriutes of cooked chicken rest met Tretments ---------------------------------------------------------------- Descriptor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SEM Met color intensity 3.8 3.9 5.3 5.0 5.3 5.2 5.3 0.19 Arom 5.0 5.2 4.9 4.9 5.0 0.14 Juiciness 5.0 5.2 5.0 4.9 5.2 0.18 Texture 4.5 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.6 4.8 4.7 4.6 0.17 Flvour 5.0 5.0 5.2 4.0 0.09 Anorml flvour 1.6 1.8 1.7 1.9 1.7 1.9 3.2 2.0 0.24 Overll cceptility 6.2 6.1 6.3 6.0 6.2 6.3 5.2 6.1 0.17 Vlues with different superscript in row differ significntly (P<0.05) Met Sensory Anlysis: Met colour nd colour intensity: Visul pprisl of cooked chicken rest met using the RAL Color Chrt s colour guide showed tht rest met from chicken fed on neem-free diets (T1 nd T2; Tle 10) hd ple colour for oth the skin nd rest met while met from chicken fed on neem-sed diets hd yellowish skin nd rest met. The vrition in skin nd met colour could e ttriuted to the crotenes in the neem-sed diets. There ws however no pprecile difference in colour intensity s the levels of neem in diets ws incresed from 1% to 2.5%. Arom, Texture nd Juiciness: There were no significnt differences in the rom, texture nd juiciness of cooked met smples. A few sniffs t cooked chicken rest met smples did not show ny differences in rom of the tretments. They ll hd the chrcteristic chicken smell. Cooked chicken rest met did not show ny differences for tenderness or toughness when they were itten through. Likewise, cooked met did not show ny differences in exudtion of juices or differences in dryness when they were lightly chewed. The inclusion of neem t rtes of 1.0%, 2.0% nd 2.5% did not lter the rom, texture nd juiciness of chicken met. Flvour of Met: Sensory evlution showed no differences mong ll cooked chicken rest met smples once they were slted. However, unslted cooked met from chickens fed on 2.5% neem-sed diets were found to e mildly itter. The high rte of inclusion of neem t 2.5% might hve resulted in the deposition of zdirtin in muscle fires resulting in mild itter tste. Overll Acceptility: Generlly, ll the chicken rest met (met from roilers fed on neem-free diets nd 1.0 % nd 2.0 % neem diets) were cceptle for consumption. The mildly itter tste of chicken rest met from chickens fed 2.5% neem-sed diet ws msked nd unnoticed if met is dequtely slted during cooking. 804
CONCLUSION 5. Gndhi, M.R., C.K. Snkrnynm, Bnerjee nd P.C. Shrm, 1988. Acute toxicity study of the oil from The present findings show tht NLM hs nutritionl Azdircht indic seed (neem oil). Journof nd helth improvement potentil s feed ingredient Enthophrmcology, 23: 39-51. in roiler production without compromising the 6. Blney, W.M., M.S.J. Simmonds, S.V. Ley, J.C. hemtologicl prmeters, crcss chrcteristics nd Anderson nd P.L. Toogood, 1990. Antifeednt met tste t present inclusion rte. effects of zdirchtin nd structurlly relted Further studies of the phytochemicl properties of compounds on lepidopterous lrve. Entomo. Exp. neem leves in reltion to toxicity level in roiler nutrition App., 55: 149-160. nd thence quntifiction nd cceptle inclusion levels 7. Elngovn, A.V., S.V.S. Vern nd V.R.B. Sstrry, is suggested in order to mnge possile injury levels 2000. Effect of feeding neem (Azdircht indic) when fed to irds. lef mel on growth nd nutrient utiliztion. CAB ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 8. Interntionl, Welling Ford, UK, pp: 95. A.O.A.C., 1990. Assocition of Officil Anlyticl The Deprtment of Animl Science Eduction, chemist. Officil Methods of Anlysis, Weshington, D.C. University of Eduction, Winne, is cknowledged for 9. XP Genstt Relese 7.2 DE. (PC/Windows ) 2007. Lwes llowing their fcilities to e used for this work. Agriculturl Trust (Rothmsted Experimentl Sttion). 10. Esonu, B.O., M.N. Opr, N.C. Odoli, H.O. Oikonu, REFERENCES C. Udedie nd O.O.M. Ihehiulor, 2007. Physiologicl response of lying irds to Neem 1. Amerh, A.M., V. Rvindr, R.G. Lentle nd (Azdircht indic) lef mel sed diet: Body D.G. Thoms, 2007. Feed prticles size: impliction on weight, Orgn chrcteristics nd Hemtology, the digestion nd performnce of poultry. World s Life Science Journl, 4(2): 37-41. Poultry Science Journl, 63: 439-455. 11. Onyimonyi, A.E., A. Olode nd G.C. Okeke, 2009. 2. Cstnon, J.R.I., 2007. History on the use of Performnce nd economic chrcteristics of roilers ntiiotics s growth promoters in Europen poultry fed vrying dietry levels of neem lef mel feeds. Poultry Science, 86: 2466-2471. (Azdircht indic). Interntionl Journl of Poultry 3. Schmutterer, H., 1990. Future tsks of neem Science, 8(3): 256-259. reserch in reltion to griculturl needs worldwide. 12. Iheukwumere, F.C., E.C. Nduuisi, E.A. Mzi nd In: J.C. Locke nd R.H. Lwson, (eds): Proceedings of M. U. Onyekwere, 2008. Performnce, Nutrient workshop on Neem s potentil in pest mngement utiliztion nd orgn chrcteristics of Broilers nd progrms. USDA -ARS, Beltsville, MD. ARS-86. cssv lef mel (Mnihot esculent Crntz). Pk. J. pp: 15-22. Nutri., 7: 13-16. 4. Mkeri, H.K., V.A. Miki nd J.A. Nok, 2007. Effect of tropicl ppliction of neem seed (Azdircht indic) extrct on sheep infested with Amlyomm vriegtum. Africn Jourl of Biotechnology, 6(20): 2324-2327. 805