?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.title=Physiological+Response+Of+Laying+Birds+To+Neem+(Azadirachta+Indica)+Leaf+Meal-Based+Diets%3A+Body+Weight+Organ+Characteristics+And+Haematology&rft.creator=Esonu+B%2C+O&rft.creator=Okoli+I%2C+C&rft.creator=Opara+N%2C+M&rft.creator=Obikaonu+H%2C+O&rft.creator=Udedibie%2C+C&rft.creator=Iheshiulor+OO%2C+M&rft.subject=Online+Journal+of+Health+and+Allied+Sciences&rft.description=A+12-weeks+feeding+trial+was+conducted+to+evaluate+the+effects+of+Neem+(Azadirachta+indica)+leafmeal+(NLM)+on+body+weight+gain%2C+carcass+and+organ+characteristics+and+haematological+values+of+laying+hens.+The+leaves+were+harvested%2C+chopped+to+facilitate+drying+in+the+sun+until+they+became+crispy+but+still+greenish+in+coloration.+The+Sun-dried+leaves+were+milled+using+a+hammer+mill+to+produce+the+leaf+meal.+Four+layers+diets+were+formulated+to+contain+the+NLM+at+0%25%2C5%25%2C+10%25+and+15%25+dietary+levels+respectively+and+were+used+to+feed+120+Shikka+brown+layers+already+10+months+in+lay.+The+birds+were+divided+into+4+groups+of+30+each+and+randomly+assigned+to+the+4+treatment+diets+in+a+completely+randomized+design+(CRD).+NLM+did+not+show+any+appreciable+difference+in+weight+gain+between+the+birds+at+0%25+and+those+at+5%25%2C+10%25+dietary+levels.+Carcass+weight%2C+dressed+weight%2C+liver%2C+heart+and+gizzard+weights+were+significantly+(P%3C0.05)+increased+at+5%25+dietary+level+of+NLM.+There+were+no+significant+difference+in+Hb+and+PCV+between+birds+on+O%25+and+5%25+treatment+diets.+However%2C+these+differed+significantly+(P%3C0.05%25)+from+those+of+birds+on+10%25+and+15%25+treatment+diets.+There+were+variations+in+the+differential+WB+count+%2C+marked+lymphocytopenia+adversely+affected+the+total+leucocyte+counts+in+the+birds+on+5%25%2C+10%25+and+15%25+treatment+diets.+The+results+of+this+study+suggest+that+laying+birds+could+tolerate+5%25-+15%25+dietary+levels+of+NLM+without+deleterious+effects.&rft.publisher=Dr.+B.S.+Kakkilaya&rft.contributor=Kakkilaya+Bevinje%2C+Dr.+Srinivas&rft.contributor=Baliga+B%2C+Dr.+Shatharam&rft.date=2006-09&rft.type=Journal+(On-line%2FUnpaginated)&rft.type=PeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F5168%2F1%2F2006-2-4.pdf&rft.identifier=++Esonu+B%2C+O+and+Okoli+I%2C+C+and+Opara+N%2C+M+and+Obikaonu+H%2C+O+and+Udedibie%2C+C+and+Iheshiulor+OO%2C+M++(2006)+Physiological+Response+Of+Laying+Birds+To+Neem+(Azadirachta+Indica)+Leaf+Meal-Based+Diets%3A+Body+Weight+Organ+Characteristics+And+Haematology.++%5BJournal+(On-line%2FUnpaginated)%5D+++++&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Fcogprints.org%2F5168%2F