Moringa oleifera (Malunggay) as a Nutritional SUBSTRATE in Poultry diet of

LOCAL CHICKENS

Introduction

The rising inflation in the poultry feed industry has become a significant concern

for poultry farmers and the broader agricultural sector. The rising cost of conventional

chicken feeds, which is influenced by variables such as irregular commodity prices,

increased demand for grains across industries, and production difficulties, has put a

significant financial strain on poultry farmers. The aim of alternate, affordable, and

sustainable feed sources has progressed under this situation. Additionally, it has been

reported that poultry scientists are now committed to using unconventional natural feed

supplements, which may be used in therapies to enhance the health and productivity of

chickens. As a result, poultry researchers are looking for potential natural feed

resources that are safe for human society and the environment. (Mahfuz et.al, 2019).

The most significant subsectors of the Philippine agriculture economy are

livestock and poultry. Hogs and chickens were the most often eaten animals raised for

human sustenance, making up the majority of the nation's livestock and poultry

population. One of the most common kinds of employment in our community is growing

chickens, however keeping the egg quality of chickens is becoming more and more

challenging for poultry farmers and other chicken owners due to the ongoing rise in the

cost of commercial feed. And because of this, the researchers became interested in
conducting a study with the goal of creating an alternative feed that is both economical

and made using locally sourced raw ingredients. Most parts of the world now use

moringa as a standard feed source for poultry. This is because the plant is inexpensive

and simple to get, and it provides significant nutritional advantages for poultry and

livestock. Moringa has become an excellent alternative feed of chickens due to its

high nutritional value.

Eggs are a good source of protein as well as other key elements. Egg quality and

marketability are greatly influenced by a variety of essential variables, including size,

shape, color, texture, and nutritional value. Several research has been done recently to

investigate the possible advantages of including Moringa oleifera in the diets of

chickens. Various aspects of chicken farming, such as growth performance, meat

quality, and egg production, have been the focus of these studies. We may test its

impact on egg quality and use it as a food supplement for chickens that lay eggs. This

can take the place of commercializing diets and monitoring the results to see if it affects

the quality of the eggs. It has a significant impact on society by reducing feed purchase

costs.

Overall, there are significant potential advantages to employing Moringa oleifera

as a nutritional replacement in poultry diets. These include better egg production, meat

quality, and growth performance, as well as higher egg nutritional value. To meet this

demand while enhancing the quality and nutritional content of poultry products, the use

of natural feed additives like Moringa oleifera may become more and more crucial as

the market for poultry products expands. The outcome of this study could influence the
creation of healthier, more environmentally friendly, and more sustainable methods of

producing poultry.

Globally, there has been a continuous rise in the use of poultry products, such as

meat and eggs, and one major expense component is feeding. Notably, feed accounts

for up to 70% of overall production expenses, which are primarily determined by the

price of components and the state of the world market for soya bean meal, the most

often utilized protein. Good substitutes should ideally be less expensive, always

available, provide greater nutritional qualities, and not compete with human nutrition

(Van der Poel et al., 2013). Poultry diets frequently incorporate local components,

which should ideally promote animal health, enhance performance, and enhance the

quality of the final product (Gadzirayi et al., 2016).

One of the other plant sources that has been utilized traditionally in many

nations is Moringa oleifera. Many of these plants have physiological impacts on animals

in addition to their nutritional effects, which are important for preserving the animal's

health, performance, and well-being. In an effort to reduce the use of chemicals and

support the worldwide trend toward natural feed components, the World Health

Organization (WHO) encourages the use of herbs and plants. Numerous plant species

or parts are often recognized as feed components that have the ability to increase feed

consumption and performance efficiency (Levic et al., 2018). Some have been shown to

have bioactive substances that function similarly to growth promoters for antibiotics

(Hernandez et al., 2016). Tropical legumes and non-legumes, like Moringa oleifera, with