Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Neem Leaf Powder (Azadirachta indica) on Carcass Traits, Immunomodulatory and Profitability of Broiler Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)
Bhanu Prakash
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India.
Manju Lata *
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India.
Bidhan C. Mondal
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263145, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Neem leaves are recognized for their potential as an immunomodulatory, antifungal and antioxidant properties. A feeding trial was conducted to discern the influence of dietary inclusion of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder on carcass traits, serum immunological status and economical production of broiler Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total number of 144-day-old chicks of Japanese quail were randomly assigned into four treatment groups, with 36 Japanese quail per treatment having three replicates of 12 birds each. Birds of treatment T1 (control group) were fed a basal diet (starter and finisher), whereas in treatment groups T2, T3, and T4, the basal diet was incorporated with 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.00% neem leaf powder, respectively. Results showed supplementation of 1.0% neem leaf powder improved the serum immunoglobulin concentration of broiler Japanese quail during the whole trial period. Carcass traits among various treatment groups were similar. Higher profitability was found in 0.50 percent neem leaf powder treatment group when all the birds were sold at market price. It can be concluded that 0.50 to 1.0 percent neem leaf powder can be incorporated in feed for good health status and desired economical production of the broiler Japanese quail.
Keywords: Carcass traits, finisher diet, immunomodulation, Japanese quail, neem leaf powder, starter diet, production cost