Azolla supplementation in diet contributes to improved body weight gain and egg production in backyard poultry

Abstract

The study was conducted in 10 tribal villages of Parvathipuram-Manyam district to assess the effect of supplementing Azolla in backyard poultry feed, during the period of November 2022 to December 2023. Twenty backyard poultry units rearing native variety of chicken were selected and divided into two groups viz; control and treatment, with each unit comprising of around 30 birds. Out of twenty locations ten were kept as control where there was no dietary azolla supplementation to poultry and for treatment group azolla was supplemented at rate of 50 per cent on wet weight basis. Average body weight at 16th and 20th weeks of age and average annual egg production were recorded. The study revealed that mean average body weight of birds during 16th week and 20th weeks were significantly higher in azolla supplemented groups as compared to farmer’s practice of feeding grain ration. Also, the average annual egg production in azolla fed birds increased significantly (P value ˂0.01) with a production of 88.1±7.38 eggs/year as compared to control flock where it was 78.6±4.27 eggs/year. The results indicated that supplementing azolla in backyard poultry feed as a secondary protein source can help to improve the body weight gain and egg production of birds.