Effect of a Libertad (Moringa oleifera) Liquid Extract Supplementation in the Drinking Water on Hematology Profile, and Performance of Broiler Chickens in Santiago, Dominican Republic

With the aim to evaluate the effect of the supplementation of different concentrations of a Moringa oleifera liquid extract in the drinking water on the hematology profile, and performance of broiler chickens, two experiments were carried out at Universidad ISA. Each experiment had four (4) treatments (0, 1.87, 3.75 y 7.5 liters of M. oleifera extract in 937.5 liters of drinking waters), which were randomly distributed in a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment had six (6) experimental units. The experiment was replicated twice in time for a total of 48 experimental units of 6 chicks each one. The evaluated variables were: hematology profile (HP), body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed efficiency (FE) and the cost benefit relationship (CBR). The HP was not significantly affected (P> 0.05) by the Libertad liquid extract supplementation. However, BW was increased (P≤0.05) from 1,726.34 g in the control treatment to 1,804.38 g when 7.5 liters of Libertad liquid extract was supplemented in drinking water; similar trend was observed in the BWG. The FI was also increased (P≤0.05) by the libertad liquid extract supplementation. The FE was increased from 62.0% and 61.1% to 64.9 % by increasing the libertad liquid extract from 0 and 1.87 to 7.5 liters in 937.5 liters of drinking water, respectively. The CBR was also increased when the libertad liquid extract was supplemented. The data of this study suggest that supplementing a libertad liquid extract may increase the broiler chicken performance in a dose-dependent manner.

Key words: Libertad, Moringa oleífera, broiler chickens, hematology profile, cost: benefit.