Effect of neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) as a supplementary litter material on performance of broiler birds

A study was conducted to determine the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves as supplementary litter material on the performance of broilers. Two hundred forty day old, Vencobb Strain chicks procured from local market were used and randomly divided into four treatment groups i.e. T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃ comprising of 60 birds in each treatment which were further divided into four replications of 15 birds each. The control T₁ had saw dust as litter material, while other treatment groups T₂, T₃ and T₄ were having combinations such as Neem leaves (2%) with saw dust (98%), Neem leaves (4%) with saw dust (96%) and Neem leaves (6%) with saw dust (94%), respectively. A significantly higher weekly body weight, body weight gain and significantly lower FCR during 6^th week were found by using neem leaves as supplementary litter material. Effect of litter material on feed consumption was found to be nonsignificant during 6^th week. The net profit obtained per bird for treatment groups viz., T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ were Rs. 26.65, 40.96, 40.43 and 45.42, respectively. Therefore it was concluded that the supplementation of Neem leaves with saw dust as bedding material for broilers was more economical and profitable.