Influence of dietary Azolla on growth and performance parameters in commercial broilers chicken

Introduction

The quality of feed is one of the most important factors for achieving optimal growth and production performance in commercial chickens. Nutritional interventions, such as supplementation with plant-based feed additives, are increasingly used to enhance growth, feed efficiency, and overall health of broilers (Abdel-Ghany et al., 2020) [1] . Azolla, a fastgrowing aquatic fern, is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a promising feed supplement for poultry (Sahoo et al., 2019) [8] . Previous studies have shown that inclusion of Azolla in broiler diets can improve body weight, weight gain, feed efficiency, and survival rate (Khan et al., 2018) [5] . However, the optimal inclusion level of Azolla for maximizing production performance in commercial chickens remains variable. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dried Azolla supplementation in commercial broiler diets on production performance parameters, including final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and survival rate.

Materials and Methods

A total of 90 day-old commercial broiler chicks (Vencobb 430Y) were used to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of dried Azolla on production performance. Azolla (Azolla pinnata), a species commonly used for poultry feed in India, was cultivated in selected ponds under controlled conditions, harvested, washed, and sun-dried to a moisture content of approximately 10%. The dried Azolla was then ground and mixed with commercial broiler feed according to the treatment levels. The birds were initially reared on standard commercial feed for 21 days. From day 21 to 35, the birds were randomly divided into five treatment groups, with 18 chicks per treatment. Each treatment group was further divided into three replicates of 6 chicks each (3 males and 3 females per replicate). The treatment groups were listed in Table 1. The experimental birds were reared under standard management practices in an open-sided deep litter system. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Growth parameters, feed intake, feed efficiency, and survival rate were recorded during the Azolla supplementation period (day 21 to 35) and data were analysed to determine the effect of different Azolla inclusion levels on broiler production performance. The cumulative body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and weekly livability were documented throughout the experimental period.

Each chick was weighed individually on the day of hatching and subsequently at the end of every week to monitor growth performance. The cumulative body weight was recorded weekly and summarized for the entire five-week experimental period.

Throughout the experiment, broiler chickens were provided feed ad libitum. A measured quantity of feed was supplied daily to each replicate group. At the end of each week, the remaining feed in the feeders was carefully collected and weighed to avoid any loss. Weekly feed intake for each replicate was calculated by subtracting the leftover feed from the total feed offered. Using these data, the cumulative average feed intake per bird was determined for each week and across the five-week trial.

Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)

The feed conversion ratio was computed weekly and at the conclusion of the experiment based on total feed intake and body weight gain, using the following formula:

Feed conversion ratio (FCR) = Feed intake(g) × 100 Body weight gain(g)

The number of chicks was recorded individually on the first day and at the end of each week to assess livability. The cumulative livability was determined weekly and for the entire five-week period. Livability percentage was calculated using the following formula:

The data obtained for various parameters were analyzed statistically using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) following the procedures outlined by Snedecor and Cochran (1989) [9] . The treatment means were compared for statistical significance using Duncan's Multiple Range Test (Duncan,

Results and Discussion

Body weight

The effect of dietary supplementation of dried Azolla on the cumulative body weight (g) of broiler chickens from 1 to 5 weeks of age is presented in [8] .; Abdel-Ghany et al., 2020 [1] .). In conclusion, moderate supplementation of Azolla (5%) can be recommended to enhance growth performance in commercial broilers during the later stage of rearing.

Feed consumption

The effect of dietary supplementation of dried Azolla on the cumulative feed consumption (g) of broiler chickens from 1 to 5 weeks of age is presented in Table 3. From the fourth week onwards, significant differences (p<0.01) were observed in feed consumption between the dietary groups. Broilers were fed 5% Azolla (T 4 ) exhibited the highest (2010.07 g) feed consumption. The lowest feed consumption was recorded in the control group (T 1 -1920.49 g) and 7% Azolla group (T 5 -1910.29 g). At the fifth week, significant (p<0.01) differences were noticed in T 4 (5% Azolla) consumed the highest feed (3131.47 g), followed closely by T 3 (3103.22 g) and T 2 (3100.35 g). The control group (T 1-3080.25 g) and T 5 (7% Azolla: 3065.27 g) showed comparatively lower feed intake.

These findings suggest that moderate supplementation of Azolla at 5% enhances feed consumption in commercial broilers during the later stage of rearing, while higher inclusion levels (7%) tend to reduce intake. The results are similar with the earlier observation of (Bested and Morento,1985) [2] stated that Azolla affected the palatability of the feed and reduced feed consumption.

Feed conversion ratio

The effect of dietary supplementation of dried Azolla on the cumulative feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens from 1 to 5 weeks of age is shown in Table 4. During the first three weeks of rearing, no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between the treatment groups.

However, after the introduction of Azolla supplementation from day 21 to 35, significant differences (p<0.01) in FCR were recorded among the treatment groups. In the fourth week, broilers fed 5% Azolla (T 4 ) exhibited a significantly (p<0.01) better feed conversion ratio (1.54), followed by T 3 (1.57) and T 1 (1.59), while T 5 (7% Azolla) showed the poorest FCR (1.67). A similar trend continued in the fifth week, with T 4 (5% Azolla) showing the best FCR (1.62), significantly outperforming all other groups. This was followed closely by T 3 (1.65) and T 2 (1.66), while the control group (T 1 ) had a slightly poorer FCR (1.79). The 7% Azolla group (T 5 ) recorded the significantly (p<0.01) highest FCR (1.90), indicating reduced feed efficiency. These results align with previous findings suggesting that moderate inclusion levels of Azolla (particularly at 5%) improve feed efficiency due to its favorable nutrient profile, including high protein content and balanced amino acids. Similar findings were reported by Querubin et al. (1986) [7] . The higher levels of fiber and tannins present in aquatic plants may have contributed to reduced nutrient utilization, which consequently led to a decline in feed conversion ratio (Muzlar et al., 1978) [6] .

Livability

The effect of dietary inclusion of dried Azolla on the cumulative livability (%) of broiler chickens from 1 to 5 weeks of age is presented in Table 5. During the first three weeks of rearing, all treatment groups exhibited 100% livability, indicating no mortality and no significant differences (p>0.05) among the groups. From the fourth to the fifth week, variations in livability were observed. In the fourth week, the control group (T 1 ) and the 7% Azolla group (T 5 ) showed a slightly reduced livability of 97.22%, whereas the remaining groups (T 2 , T 3 , and T 4 ) maintained 100% livability. In the fifth week, a slight reduction in livability (97.22%) was observed in T 2 (1% Azolla), and T 5 (7% Azolla), while all other groups recorded 100% livability. Regarding cumulative livability up to the fifth week, the 3% and 5% Azolla supplemented groups (T 3 and T 4 ) exhibited the highest cumulative livability (100%), followed by T 1 and T 2 (97.22%), while the 7% Azolla group (T 5 ) recorded the lowest cumulative livability (94.44%). Although numerical differences were noted, statistical analysis indicated no significant differences (p>0.05) among the treatment groups in terms of cumulative livability. These findings suggest that moderate levels of Azolla supplementation (3-5%) do not adversely affect the livability of broilers and can be safely incorporated into broiler diets. The results are similar with (Castillo et al. 1981) [3] . who also found no toxic effect of dietary Azolla on broiler.

Conclusion

Broilers fed with 5% dried Azolla showed the best results in body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion efficiency. Hence, it is recommended to supplement broiler diets with 5% Azolla during the later growth stage to enhance production performance. However, higher inclusion levels (7%) reduce performance and livability.

References

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