Performance of broilers different phases fed on different levels of Azolla meal

Abstract

A total of 150, day old broiler chicken were randomly distributed into five treatments with three replicates having ten chicks in each replicate to evaluate the effect of inclusion of different levels of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) on performance of broiler chicks. The birds in group control (C) were fed on basal diet while in treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 the basal diet was supplemented with 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% of sun dried Azolla, respectively. The dry matter (DM) content of sun dried Azolla meal was 91.78 percent. It contained 74.50 percent organic matter, 22.25 percent crude protein, 11.19 percent crude fiber, 2.45 percent ether extract, 25.50 percent total ash, 38.61 percent nitrogen free extract (NFE) and 7.94 percent acid insoluble ash. The effect of supplementation of Azolla revealed highly significant effect on the body weight gain, daily body weight gain, Feed conversion ratio (FCR), Performance index (PI) in the finisher phase. Significantly the highest body weight gain (1547.83g) and daily body weight gain (73.71g) was recorded in T3 group. Significantly the lowest and better FCR (1.80), highest PI (849.51) and PER (3.19) was observed in T2 group. There was highly significant effect on Feed consumption was observed in both the phases and significantly the highest feed consumption was recorded in control (893.30g) group during the starter phase and T3 (3010.73g) group during the finisher phase. From the result obtained it may be concluded that Azolla may be used upto 10% level in the broiler diet. Azolla meal is a non-conventional feed ingredient at low price and may be used as poultry feed to reduce feed cost.