Biological evaluation of dried Azolla in combination with carbohydrases in broiler bird

The study was conducted to evaluate the feeding of dried Azolla (Azollapinnata) alone and in combination with exogenous feed enzymes in commercial broiler under complete randomized design. For this purpose, day old broiler chicks (n=88) were divided into 4 main groups T₀ T₁, T₂ and T₃ with two replicates of 11 chicks each. Group T₀ and T₂ were given ration containing 0 and 5 per cent dried Azolla, respectively but not feed enzyme viz. phytase and carbohydrase whereas, group T₁ and T₃ had 0 and 5 per cent dried Azolla, respectively and fed feed enzymes. Overall growth performance in the group fed dried Azolla (T₂ and T₃) was found to be similar to taht of control groups (T₀, T₁). Feed intake per unit gain in live weight was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in the dried Azolla fed groups thus exhibiting low feed conversion efficiency. There was higher availability of the minerals calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in dried Azolla fed groups T₂ and T₃ compared to control groups T₀ and T₁ as exhibited by higher retention of minerals Ca and P in the storage organ viz. tibial bone. It is thus concluded that dried Azolla can be safely incorporated at 5 percent level in poultry broiler feed.