Evaluation of two levels of moringa flour (Moringa sp.) in balanced concentrate, for feeding broiler chickens of the Cobb line

Abstract

The research consisted of two phases: the collection of raw material from Moringa leaves at the Estación Experimental y de Prácticas de la Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas de la Universidad de El Salvador, followed by the field phase in a poultry module in Panchimalco. This was carried out from November 2020 to January 2021. The objective was to evaluate the weight gain of broiler chickens with different levels of moringa flour (T0: control, T1: 5%, T2: 10%). Using 135 Cobb breed chickens, keys variables such as weight gain, feed conversion, carcass weight, and production costs were analyzed. The results revealed significant differences between treatments. T0 showed an average daily weight gain of 363.13g and an efficient feed conversion of 1.84, standing out as the most effective treatment. In contrast, T2 had a lower efficiency with 306.76g and a feed conversion of 2.17. In carcass weight, T0 and T1 outperformed T2, and showed better results than the addition of 10% Moringa flour. Statistical analysis confirmed the existence of significant differences between treatments, supported by a variability (C.V. of 1.08%) and a significance level (P<0.05). From an economic perspective, the evaluation revealed that T0 was the most profitable treatment with USD 37.70 (USD 0.84 per bird), followed by T1 with USD 34.57 (USD 0.77 per bird), while T2 resulted in a net loss of USD 8.13 (-USD 0.18 per bird). These results highlight the importance of considering both production efficiency and economic aspects when making decisions in poultry production and guide informed decisions in the implementation of feeding strategies in broiler chicken production.