EFFECTS OF Moringa stenopetala LEAVES IN THE DIETS OF RIR CHICKS

Moringa stenopetala is used as food, fodder, medicinal value, fuel, shade tree, aesthetic value, agro-forestry, source of income, construction material, fence and wind break. Moringa is used as a cabbage mixed with cheese, and for this reason, farmers call moringa 'milking cow'. It is also used as a source of income by selling leaves directly to consumers. Farmers have indicated that moringa tree is more important than a milking cow as the cow does not give optimum and continuous milk yield in dry seasons. Moringa stenopetala leaf meal (MSLM) was used as a protein source to replace noug cake and soybean in diets of RIR chicks. The results of the present finding indicated that leaves of Moringa stenopetala are palatable and has high protein, mineral and low crude fiber contents. Inclusion of moringa up to 6% had no any effect on the health and performance of chicks.Moringa stenopetala leaf meal can thus replace soybean and noug cake in chicken's diet and reduce competition with human beings and also reduce feed costs.