Effect of feeding Azolla pinnata on the performance of Khaki Campbell layers

Swain, B.K., Naik, P.K., Sahoo, S.K., Mishra, S.K. and Kumar, D. 2020. Effect of feeding Azolla pinnata on the performance of Khaki Campbell layers. Indian Journal of Poultry Science, 55(3): 221-224.

A study was conducted to examine the effect of feeding of dried Azolla pinnata in the diet of Khaki Campbell laying ducks on their production performance and egg quality. Forty five Khaki Campbell laying ducks (36 weeks) were divided into three groups (each group had three replicates with five laying ducks per replicate) and were randomly fed three experimental diets (T₁ - Control diet with no Azolla, T₂ - 5% Azolla, T₃ - 10% Azolla replacing soybean meal of control diet) for a period of 80 days. All the diets were made isonitrogenous and iso-caloric. The egg production, duck day egg production percent, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, performance efficiency index, net feed efficiency index, egg weight and cost of feed/dozen egg (Rs.) were similar for the control and the azolla fed ducks. However, there was a saving of about Rs. 3/- dozen egg productions in ducks fed 10 % azolla diet (T₃). Shape and yolk indices, haugh unit score, shell thickness (mm) and shell % were higher (p<0.05) for ducks kept on T₃. Results conclusively indicated that inclusion of dried azolla at 10 % level in the diet of Khaki Campbell laying ducks was beneficial in terms of improved egg quality and reduction in feed cost without any adverse effect on the production performance.