Growth Performance and Haematological Profile of Growing Japanese Quails Fed Graded Levels of Azadirachta Indica Leaf Meal

Abstract

The performance and haematological profile of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed graded levels of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf meal was determined. Four treatments: T0% (feed with zero supplementation of neem leaf meal), T5% (feed with 5% supplementation of neem leaf meal), T10% (feed with 10% supplementation of neem leaf meal) and T15% (feed with 15% supplementation of neem leaf meal) respectively, were utilized in a completely randomized design (CRD). One hundred and twenty (120) 3 weeks old unsexed grower Japanese quails were used for the performance study. At the end of the 35- day performance study the quails were decapitated and a set of 2ml blood samples taken from 3 quails per treatment into plastic tubes containing the anti-coagulant ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for the determination of PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, MCHC, MCH and MCV). Results revealed that quails of the T5% showed similar performance characteristics with their T0% counterparts. Similarly, quails of the T5% group showed superior haematological values in PCV, RBC and Hb. The major benefit of incorporating leaf meal as shown in the T5%, T10% and T15% groups was the zero mortality as compared to their T0% counterparts due to its non-deleterious effect. Therefore, incorporating leaf meals especially at the T5% will improve the profit margin of quail farmers.