Effect of replacing saw dust litter with dry Neem leaves for improving litter quality, immunity and foot pad condition of broiler birds

R K  YADAV; N  SINGH; S  SHARMA; G  GUJAR; V  CHANDRA; A  FOZDAR

doi:10.56093/ijans.v95i8.170101

Authors

R K YADAV Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur (Rajasthan) NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur-302 031
N SINGH Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur (Rajasthan) NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur-302 031
S SHARMA Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur (Rajasthan) NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur-302 031
G GUJAR Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur (Rajasthan) NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur-302 031
V CHANDRA Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur (Rajasthan) NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur-302 031
A FOZDAR Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur (Rajasthan) NH-11, Agra Road, Jamdoli, Jaipur-302 031

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v95i8.170101

Keywords:

Ammonia Emission, Dry Neem Leaves, Foot Pad Condition, Immune Response, Litter

Abstract

This experiment was an attempt to study the impact of replacing saw dust with dry neem leaves in litter for improving litter quality, immunity, and foot pad condition of broiler birds. The experiment was carried out in the institutional poultry farm during June 2024. Eighty White Leghorn broiler chicks (Cobb strain) were randomly divided into treatment and control group (40 in each) with each group having four replications having 10 birds each. The broiler chicks were reared in deep litter housing system made of saw dust (94%) along with dry Neem leaves (6%) with the control group reared on saw dust litter without dry neem leaves. The litter quality parameters viz., pH, moisture, water holding capacity (WHC), ammonia emission, nitrogen content and cake formation score; broiler immunity expressed as antibody titre against Newcastle disease and broiler welfare in terms of footpad condition were recorded weekly over the period of 6 weeks. The data was analysed using one way ANOVA followed by post hoc DMRT. Results revealed that the treatment group had a significantly higher antibody response against NDV (145.50 ± 3.50 vs. 14.00 ± 1.33), indicating enhanced immunological status. Welfare indicators such as foot pad condition (0.57 ± 0.28 vs. 1.29 ± 0.64) and reduced cake formation in litter (4.00 ± 0.00 vs. 5.00 ± 0.00) also reflected positive effects. Litter quality was substantially better in the treatment group, with lower moisture content (18.37 ± 0.17 vs. 26.77 ± 0.18), reduced pH (6.40 ± 0.04 vs. 6.95 ± 0.06), decreased ammonia emission (10.80 ± 0.46 vs. 23.05 ± 0.55), lower nitrogen content (15.89 ± 0.15 vs. 20.91 ± 0.11), and reduced parasitic load (11.67 ± 0.06 vs. 25.47 ± 0.06). Microbial load was also diminished, as reflected in the lower total viable count (6.64 ± 0.05 vs. 8.19 ± 0.06). Although water holding capacity did not differ significantly between groups, the overall findings demonstrate that the treatment group achieved superior immune response, improved welfare, and enhanced litter quality, underscoring its effectiveness in broiler management.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Agarawal D P. 2002. Medicinal properties of Neem. Neem findinings. http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/test/esagrawNeemframset.htm

American Public Health Association (APHA) 1992. Compendium of methods for the microbiological examination of foods. Washington, D.C.

Andrews L D. 1972. Cage rearing of broilers. Poultry Science, 51: 1194-1197.

AOAC. 1990. Association of Analytical Chemist, Official Methods of Analysis, 15th ed., Collegiate Press, Washington, D. C. – 20044: 957

Augustine L and Shukla R. 2015. An analysis of opportunities and challenges in poultry sector in global and Indian Perspectives, IJMSS, (1): 2321–84

Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics. 2023. Government of India. Ministry of Agriculture department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, New Delhi.

Bishnoi P, Sharma S, Singh N, Karnani M, Mishra G, Dhakad G S and Sharma R A. 2021. Effect of Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) as a supplementary litter material on performance of broiler birds. Indian Journal of Poultry Science 56(2): 155−59.

Brake J D, Boyle C R, Chamblee T N, Schultz C D and Peebles E D. 1992. Evaluation of the chemical and physical properties of hardwood bark used as a broiler litter material. Poultry Science 71: 467–72.

Carter T A, Allison R C, Mills W C and West J R. 1979. Wood chips for poultry litter. Poultry Science 58: 994–97.

Casey W, Brain R, Fairchild D and Lacy M P. 2005. Litter quality and broiler performance. Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin 1267. Citrus pulp pellet for broiler. World Poultry 17: 30–31.

Chakma S, Miah M Y, Ara A and Kawsar M H. 2012. Feasibility of using fallentea leaves as litter in broiler rearing. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 41(1): 52–54.

Demirulus M. 2006. The effect of litter type and litter thickness on broiler carcass traits. International Journal of Poultry Science 5(7): 670–72.

Đukić Stojčić M, Bjedov S, Žikić D, Perić L and Milošević N. 2016. Effect ofstraw size and microbial amendment of litter on certain litter quality parameters, ammonia emission, and footpad dermatitis in broilers. Archives Animal Breeding, 59(1): 131–37.

Duncan D B. 1955. Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics 11: 1–42.

Garcês A, Afonso S M S, Chilundo A and Jairoce C T S. 2013. Evaluation of different litter materials for broiler production in a hot and humid environment. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 22: 168–76.

Hernandez R and Cazetta J O. 2001. Simple and affordable method to determine ammonia released by the avian bed. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 30(3): 824–829.

Hester P Y, Cassens D L and Bryan T A. 1997 The applicability of particleboard residue as a litter material for male turkeys. Poultry Science 76: 248–55.

Indian Council of Medical Research. 2019. Department of health and research – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Government of India.

Jawad Z, Younus M, Rehman M, Maqbool A, Munir R, Muhammad K, Korejo R and Qazi I. 2013. Effect of Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) on the immunity of commercial broilers against new castle disease and infectious bursal disease. African Journal of Agricultural Research 8(37): 4596–603.

Landy N, Ghalamkari G, Toghiani M and Yazdi F F. 2011. Humoral immune responses of broiler chickens fed with antibiotic and Neem fruit powder (Azadirachta indica) as feed additive supplemented diet. International Proceedings of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering 3: 153–55.

Long P L, Tompkins R V and Millard B J. 1975. Coccidiosis in broilers: evaluation of infection by the examination of broiler house litter for oocysts. Avian Pathology, 4(4): 287–94.

Malone G and Johnson T M. 2011. A practical guide for managing risk in poultry production. Chapter 10: Litter management for the 21st century. American Association of Avian Pathologist 147–181.

Malone G W, Chaloupka G W and Saylor W W. (1983). Influence of Litter Type and Size on Broiler Performance. Poultry Science 62: 1741–46.

Mayne R K, Else R W and Hocking P M 2007. High litter moisture alone is sufficient to cause footpad dermatitis in growing turkeys. British Poultry Science 48: 538–45.

Panday G, Pramanik P S, Tewari D, Kumar M, Verma A K and Singh S V. 2018. Effect of Dry Neem Leaves (DNL) in the Reduction of Ammonia, Ph and Moisture Level of Poultry Litter and its Effect on the Broiler Performance. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 7: 1389–93.

Shepherd E M and Fairchild B D. 2010. Foot pad dermatitis in poultry. Poultry Science 89(10): 2043–54.

Shishir S R, Murshed H M, Dey B and Al- Mamun M. 2013. Effect of Dry Neem Leaves (DNL) in the Reduction of Ammonia Level of Poultry Litter Compared to Biochemical Amendment. Journal of Animal Science Advances 3(7): 345–53.

Snedecor G W and Cochran W G. 1994. Statistical Methods. 8th Edition IOWA State University Press. Ames, Iowa, USA.

Subapriya R and Naigin S. 2005. Medicinal properties of Neem leaves-a review. Current Medicinal Chemistry Antiulcer Agents 5: 149–156.

Yadav RK, Singh N, Sharma S and Gujar G. 2025. Optimizing broiler production: Effect of inclusion of inorganic litter supplements on litter characteristics, growth, immunity, and welfare of broiler chickens. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 95: 430–437.