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Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) containing phytochemicals could be used to replace synthetic growth promoters to improve products quality in sustainable rabbit production. This study explores the supplementation of MOLM on carcass characteristics and meat quality of rabbits. A total of 64, 28 days-old male weaned New Zealand white rabbits (600 ± 8.58 g live weight) were randomly allocated to four diets in completely randomised design. The rabbits were reared on iso-energetics and isoproteic diets formulated by incorporating MOLM at 0, 5, 10, and 15% and were humanely slaughtered after 6 weeks. Heart weight increased linearly with MOLM levels (R2 = 0.50; p = 0.007) whereas slaughter (SLW), hot carcass (HCW), cold carcass (CCW), legs, head and kidneys weights were increased quadratically. Also, liver decreased quadratically (R2 = 0.41; p = 0.03) with MOLM levels. Fillet lightness (L*) (R2 = 0.21; p = 0.02), redness (a*) (R2 = 0.14; p = 0.04) and yellowness (b*) (R2 = 0.14; p=

The presence of essential amino acids and low anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) in Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) designates it as a good source of nutrients for poultry. This study investigated the effect of dietary MOLM on the growth performance, semen, hatchability traits and day-old chick weight of Potchefstroom Koekoek (PK) chickens. Two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated by diluting basal layer and grower mash with 0 (MOLM0) and 70% (MOLM70) with MOLM. Eighty PK chickens (40 hens and 40 roosters) aged 22 weeks were used in this study. For growth performance and hatchability traits, 40 laying hens were randomly assigned to two treatments with four replicates having five laying hens per pen. Diets did not significantly affect growth performance. The MOLM70 diet resulted in increased sperm velocity (rapid), semen concentration, semen pH, motility and progressive motility than the control (MOLM0). It is concluded that the inclusion of MOLM in chicken diets did not adversely affect growth performance, but improved sperm motility, hatchability and weight of day-old chicks of PK chickens. The findings recommend that MOLM is nutritionally equipped to enhance both the reproductive and the productive performance of PK.

Forage legumes are commonly used as an absorbent additive in high-moisture silages. Thus this study was carried out to assess the nutritive value, fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of Opuntia–legume browse mixed silages. Five browse legume species (Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia mellifera, Searsia lancea, Prosopis velutina, and Grewia flava) were mixed with Opuntia cladodes. The silage mixture was formulated at a ratio of 60 Opuntia cladodes: 40 leguminous browse species and ensiled in polythene bags and kept in a laboratory for 42 days to determine chemical composition and fermentation characteristics. Silage samples were also subjected to an aerobic stability test. One-way analysis of variance in a completely randomised design was used to analyse the data. The pH values for silages made from Opuntia cladodes with L. leucocephala, A. mellifera and G. flava were lower than 4.8, which is considered an indicator of good-quality silage. The water-soluble carbohydrates content of silages made with Opuntia cladodes and S. lancea and G. flava was within the range of 8–12 g/kg dry matter, which is sufficient for good fermentation. The highest CO2 production, which signifies poor aerobic stability, was recorded for the control silage (Opuntia) compared to all Opuntia–legume mixed silage treatments. The addition of legume browse leaf-meal to Opuntia cladodes improved nutritive value, fermentation characteristics, and silage quality. Therefore, despite some limitations, Opuntia–legume browse silages, particularly Opuntia–G. flava and Opuntia–L. leucocephala, proved to be beneficial for livestock, as they meet the nutritional requirement of a ruminant. Significance: This study underlines the importance of co-ensiling Opuntia cladodes and high protein legume browse hay to offer an alternative feeding strategy for ruminant livestock and ensure sustainable provision of high-quality feed during dry periods.