Effect of feeding azolla (Azolla pinnata) meal on the performance, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of Chabro chicken

摘要

Present study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding azolla meal on growth performance, nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of Chabro chicken in 8 week feeding trial. 160 Chabro chicks (1 week old) were randomly divided into four groups with four replicates and ten birds each. Control group (T:) was fed on basal diet without azolla supplementation and three experimental diets were prepared by replacing basal diet with azolla meal at 5% (T,), 7.5% (T,) and 10% (T4) levels. The diets were offered randomly to all the four groups (T,, T2, T3 & T4) for a period of 8 weeks. Live weight gain was significantly improved (P<0.05) in T2 and T3 groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein retentions were improved significantly (P<0.05) inchickens kept on T2 and Tr Supplementation of 5% azolla meal significantly increased relative weight of breast compared to control. Retentions of crude protein and Ca were significantly (PO.05) higher in groups fed azolla meal. Cost of feed per kg livebird was significantly (PO.05) lower in all the groups fed azolla meal compared to control group. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of azolla meal upto 7.5% was beneficial in terms of improved performance and nutrient utilization in Chabro chickenwithout any deleterious effect on carcass quality with reduced feed cost.