Abstract

Background: As the global demand for poultry products increases, innovative feeding strategies that reduce feed production costs and improve food safety are urgently needed.
Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of neem cake as a protein source on the productive performance, carcass traits, and biochemical parameters of broiler chickens.
Methods: A total of 168 broiler chicks (2 weeks old, average weight 300.37 ± 31.42 g) were randomly distributed into four groups, each consisting of three replicates (n  =  14 chicks/replicate). The Birds in group 1 were fed the control diet, which contained no neem cake The birds in groups 2, 3, and 4 were fed diets containing 3%, 6%, and 12% neem cake as substitutes for peanut cake, respectively.
Results: The results revealed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in the feed conversion ratio (2.24 ± 0.28, 2.03 ± 0.15, 2.12 ± 0.10, and 1.90 ± 0.10 for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). live weight gain increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the level of neem cake in the diet. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was detected for the average daily gain, carcass yield, relative proportions of organs or biochemical parameters studied, regardless of the level of incorporation. During the overall feeding period, the feed cost of production was highest in the control group but lowest in the neem cake treatment groups.
Conclusion: In conclusion, neem cake can be considered a promising ingredient for improving the growth performance of broilers. Moreover, it can be used as an alternative to peanut cake to overcome the high cost.

Key words: Biochemical parameters, broilers, local resources, poultry feed, poultry production