Effect of Inclusion of Sun Dried Azolla (Azolla pinnata) at Different Levels on the Growth and Performance of Broiler Chicks

A total of 150, day old broiler chicken were randomly distributed into 5 treatments with three replicates having ten chicks in each replicate to evaluate the effect of inclusion of different levels of Azolla ( Azolla pinnata ) on growth and performance of broiler chicks. The birds in group control (C) were fed on basal diet while in treatments T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 the basal diet was supplemented with 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% of sun dried Azolla , respectively. The body weight gain was higher (P<0.01) in treatment T 3 (2182.07) which was comparable with T 2 (2173.10) and T 4 (2132.67). Highest (P<0.01) feed consumption was recorded T 3 (3900.98) group . FCR was significantly (P<0.01) lowest in T 2 (1.67) which was comparable with T 1 (1.72) group. The DM digestibility and nitrogen balance were found to be similar in all the groups however nitrogen voided was higher (P<0.05) in T 2 group. Performance index was highest (P<0.01) in T 2 (1299.62) group similarly protein efficiency ratio was also higher (P<0.01) in T 2 (3.33) group which was statically similar to that of T 3 (3.13) and control (2.93). Feed cost/ kg broiler (in ` ) and total cost/ kg broiler (in ` ) was lowest in T 2 group. Therefore, inclusion of Azolla up to 7.5% level in the ration improved body weight gain and feed consumption in broiler chicken. Beyond this level of supplementation, there was reduction in Performance of broilers.