Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) are widely recognized for their rich bioactive composition and broad biological activities, making them a promising ingredient in poultry nutrition. Neem leaves contain key compounds such as azadirachtin, nimbin, nimbidin, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, which exhibit antibacterial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.
These bioactive constituents play an important role in maintaining gut microbial balance, improving nutrient utilization, and supporting immune function in broiler chickens—critical factors for optimal growth performance and feed efficiency.
The Role of Neem Leaves in Modern Poultry Production
With the growing global demand for antibiotic-free poultry products, the use of natural feed additives has become increasingly important. Neem leaves have emerged as a strategic herbal solution for modern feed formulation due to their multifunctional properties.
In addition to supporting growth performance, neem-based feed additives align well with key industry trends, including:
- Clean-label feed formulations
- Sustainable and responsible farming practices
- Improved feed efficiency and cost-effective production
- Reduced reliance on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs)
These attributes position neem leaves as a valuable natural ingredient for the poultry industry.
Scientific Evidence and Growth Performance
Research findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation of neem leaves at 1 g/kg feed (T2 treatment) produced the most favorable outcomes compared to other treatments. Broiler chickens receiving this supplementation exhibited:
- The highest final body weight
- Greater body weight gain
- Improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), indicating better feed efficiency
- Enhanced carcass characteristics, particularly increased breast yield
Notably, feed intake did not differ significantly among treatment groups, indicating that performance improvements were primarily driven by enhanced nutrient utilization rather than increased feed consumption.
These results confirm that 1 g/kg neem leaf powder supplementation effectively improves broiler growth performance and feed efficiency without adverse effects.
Neem Leaves as an Alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promoters
Based on the scientific evidence, neem leaves can be considered a natural and eco-friendly alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry nutrition. Their antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties make neem leaves particularly suitable for the development of herbal-based poultry feed solutions that support productivity while meeting regulatory and consumer demands.
Conclusion
Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) offer a science-backed, natural approach to improving broiler growth performance and feed efficiency while supporting antibiotic-free poultry production. As a functional herbal ingredient, neem holds strong application potential and commercial value within the poultry feed industry.
As a B2B herbal extract manufacturer, Ananta provides high-quality herbal ingredients to support the development of natural, efficient, and sustainable poultry nutrition solutions.
👉 Contact us for raw material information, technical specifications, and formulation support.
Source :
Sutradhar, S. K., Chatterjee, J. K., & Chakrabotty, P. S. (2025). Effect of Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica) as a Growth Promoter in Broiler Chickens. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 16(7), 01–08.
