Application of Moringa (<em>Moringa oleifera</em>) as Natural Feed Supplement in Poultry Diets

Application of natural herbs with a view to enhancing production performance and health status has created an important demand in poultry production. With the increasing concerns on this issue, greater attention paid to alternatives to antibiotics for organic meat and egg production has led to a great demand. This study was conducted with view to assessing the possible role of <i>M. oleifera</i> as a natural feed supplement in poultry ration. Various scientific findings and published research articles were considered concerning issues including the study background, objectives, major findings, and conclusions of the review. <i>M oleifera</i> is known as a miracle tree because of its wealthy resource of various nutrients with high biological values. <i>M. oleifera</i> has been used as a growth promoter, immune enhancer, antioxidant, and has a hypo-cholesterol effect on chickens. It has both nutritional and therapeutic values. However, there is still much confusion in past published articles involving the major roles of <i>M. oleifera</i> in production performance and health status of chickens. Taking this into account, the present study highlights an outline of the experimental uses of <i>M. oleifera</i> on growth performance, egg production performance, egg quality, and health status in broilers and laying hens justified with the past findings to the present. The knowledge gaps from the past studies are considered, and the feasibility of <i>M. oleifera</i> in poultry ration is suggested. The findings have motivated further study on <i>M. oleifera</i> to find out the most active ingredients and their optimal doses in both broiler and laying hen rations. Finally, the present study highlights that supplementation of <i>M. oleifera</i> may play a role in the immunity, sound health, and production performance in poultry.