Dietary <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Leaves Enhance Biochemical Parameters Resulting in Increase in Egg Production of Layers

BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) supplementation is being investigated in the poultry industry for its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, its effects on birds' performance, particularly egg production, are scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of MOLM on biochemical parameters and egg production of egg-type chickens from day-old to 55 weeks of age. METHODS: A total of 450 day-old chicks were assigned to three dietary treatments of basal diet supplemented with 0%, 1% and 3% MOLM, with 5 replicates of 30 birds each. Data on egg production were collected up to 55 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected from 15 birds per treatment via the jugular vein at 5, 15, 25, 35, 45, and 55 weeks of age for biochemical parameter analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that feed intake was reduced in birds fed 1% and 3% of M. oleifera. Higher (p < 0.05) egg weights and lower triglyceride were recorded in the birds fed 3% of MOLM during the rearing period. However, plasma calcium, triglyceride level, and egg production were higher (p < 0.05) in birds fed 1% M. oleifera in the diet. Birds in the control group had lower (p < 0.05) average total cholesterol and higher (p < 0.05) feed conversion ratio than those of the other treatments. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, the incorporation of 1% M. oleifera leaves in layer-type diet for a long period resulted in an increase in blood calcium, triglyceride, and egg production, whereas 3% inclusion significantly increased egg weight but decreased triglyceride level.