Effect of feeding Azolla pinnata on the growth and performance of broiler chicks

Abstract

A feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of Azolla supplementation on performance of broiler chicks. Maize-soybean based poultry feed was substitute with Azolla and five dietary treatment groups designated as C, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated by incorporating 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% levels of dried Azolla. All the rations formulated for various treatments were made iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous. Body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), performance index and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were measured. Azolla in diet had a significant effect on Body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, FCR, performance index and PER. Looking to the performance of broilers in terms of live body weight gain suggested that inclusion of Azolla pinnata up to 7.5% level is quite effective and could be a viable proposition for lucrative rearing of broilers for meat production.