Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken

(Gallus domesticus) Fed Commercial

Ration Supplemented with Varying Levels
of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) Meal
Published on: 6/17/2015
Author/s : Edd Baguio Lagua
INTRODUCTION
The chicken is the most exploited species of poultry, which is utilized for food
production in the whole world. Scientific researchers have been done on this
species for past centuries and it is still the focus of the present and future
experimentation. In the Philippines chicken rank first, while ducks rank second
in economic importance as source of meat and eggs. The chicken broiler and
egg production are the most progressive in the Philippines today. The poultry
industry is in fact begun as the backyard enterprise but has shifted to the
formation of very large integrated contract farming operations (Anonymous
2009a).

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Animals need adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients in order for
them to stay healthy and productive and basically these required nutrients
varies in the quantity depending on its species, age productive state,
environmental condition and lastly to its disease status (Anonymous 2011).
Aviagen (2009) stated that successful broiler production dependents upon
supplying the birds with feed of the highest achievable quality, in terms of
ingredients used, processing procedures applied and finally the form in which
the feed is presented to the birds.
As cited by Alalade and Iyayi (2006) the greens (green plants) have long been
recognized as the cheapest and most abundant potential source of proteins
because of their ability to synthesize amino acids from a wide range of virtually
unlimited and readily available primary materials. Aquatic plant species,
 because of their growth habit, appear not to accumulate secondary plant
compounds and therefore offer a greater potential than tree leaves as a source
of protein for monogastric animals. Of these species, the water fern Azolla,
which grows in association with the blue green alga Anabaena azollae, a
nitrogen fixing organism, is perhaps the most promising from the point of view
of ease of cultivation, productivity and nutritive value. The use of Azolla as a
feed resource for fish, swine and poultry had been tested with favorable
results. Besides, the inclusion of aquatic plants at low levels in poultry diets
have shown better performance especially when they supply part of the total
protein or when included as a source of pigment for egg yolk and broiler skin.
Growth and development and nutrient content of azolla can be affected by the
available nutrients in the soil, soil pH, temperature, light intensity and water
and humidity (Mohamed, 2005). High nutrient content feedstuff is higher in
quality
Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study was to determine and evaluate the growth
performance of broiler chicken fed commercial ration supplemented with
varying levels of azolla meal.
Specifically, the study aimed to:
1. Determine the average initial and average final weight of broiler chicken;
2. Determine the average body weight gain and average daily gain;
3. Determine the average feed consumption and average feed efficiency;
4. Determine the average azolla meal consumption; and
5. Return above feed and supplementation cost.
Time and Place of the Study
The study was conducted at Lagua’s Residence, P-16, Musuan, Maramag,
Bukidnon. It was started on January 3, 2013 and ended on January 24, 2013.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Facilities and Equipment
Poultry facilities and essential equipment such as chicken poultry house,
waterers, feeding troughs, 50 watts incandescent bulbs, pail, stick broom,
clean empty sacks, old newspapers, record book and electronic weighing
scale were used during the study.
Experimental Animals
A total of sixty (60) heads of 14 days-old broiler chicks, regardless of sex, were
used in the study. There were four (4) treatments and replicated three times
with five birds in each replication.
Experimental Design and Treatment
The study was laid to simple Completely Randomized Design (CRD) during
the study. The birds were randomly distributed into four treatments, replicated
three times with five birds in each replication. The different treatments were as
follows:

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Treatment 1= 100% Commercial feeds + 0% Azolla meal
Treatment 2= 97% Commercial feeds + 3% Azolla meal
Treatment 3= 94% Commercial feeds + 6% Azolla meal
Treatment 4= 91% Commercial feeds + 9% Azolla meal
Preparation of Azolla Meal
Fresh azolla was collected at Pangantucan, Bukidnon and other was
propagated and harvested at Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon. It was washed
prior to drying to eliminate contaminants that can affect the quality of the feed.
The Drying of azolla was through air to prevent volatilization of nitrogen from
the plant. Drying done until the azolla is crispy enough to mill. The dried azolla
was coarsely ground to assure that the treatment would be eaten by the birds.
Chicken prefers coarse feeds than fine feeds. The azolla meal was then mixed
to commercial feeds. The level of azolla meal mixed with commercial ration
depends on the treatment assigned.
Dry matter of azolla meal was analyzed at Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory,
Central Mindanao University to analyze the nutrient content of the different
dietary treatments. According to analysis the azolla meal used during the study
had 92.97% DM.
Care and Management of the Experimental Birds
About one week before the arrival of chicks, all facilities and equipment
including the area were cleaned and disinfected to eliminate the disease-
causing organisms.
The day-old chicks were brooded up to 14 days. Bulbs were turned on during
day and night to keep them warm and encourage eating. The cages were
closed specially during night to minimize heat loss from the cage. Old
newspapers were used as beddings during brooding to avoid damage to the
feet and legs of the chicks and as insulator. During brooding the feeds were
put on the newspapers for the chicks could pick-up the feeds easily. Feeding
troughs were used after brooding to avoid losses. Canvas and old tarpaulin
were used as roofing of the chicken house. Birds were fed with commercial
feeds with azolla meal for every morning and afternoon. Water was also
supplied every morning and afternoon. For the first day until fourteenth day of
life of chicks they were fed with chick booster mash alone, as adjustment
period. The chicks in fourteenth day of life were randomly distributed into four
dietary treatments. Broiler starter crumble with different levels of azolla meal
was fed to the chicks from fifteenth day to thirty fifth day (15 to 35 day).
Gradual change of feeds was applied.
Waterers were washed before they were used. Sacks were used to cover the
sides of the cages to avoid the entry of other animals that would scatter the
manure. The manure was removed every day during brooding and every
seven days for succeeding days until termination. Rice hulls were spread on
the dung. Proper sanitation and managements were observed during the entire
duration of the study.

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Data Gathered
The data gathered were the average initial weight, average final weight,
average body weight gain, average daily weight gain, average total feed
consumption, average feed efficiency, average azolla meal consumption, and
return above feed and supplementation cost.
Data gathered were derived using the following formula:
Initial Weight = Weight of the experimental animals at the start of the feeding
period
Final Weight = Weight of the experimental animals at the end of the feeding
period of 35 days
Body Weight Gain = Final Weight – Initial Weight

Average Daily Gain =

Feed Consumption = Total weight of feeds given – left over

Feed Efficiency =

Azolla Meal Consumption= Feed Intake x % Azolla meal

Return Above Feed and Supplementation Cost=

Statistical Analysis
All data gathered were organized, tabulated and analyzed statistically using
ANOVA in a simple Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The Duncan’s
Multiple Ranged Test (DMRT) was used to compare any significant treatment
means.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Results of the study showed non-significant differences among treatment
means in average initial weight and in average feed consumption. However,
the highest average initial weight was observed in Treatment 2 with 326.00
grams compared to Treatment 1 (324.33 grams), Treatment 3 (320.00 grams)
and Treatment 4 (308.33 grams). Treatment 3 had the highest in average feed
consumption with 1799.00 grams.
Significant differences (P<0.05) among treatment means were observed in
average final body weight and average feed efficiency of the birds in favor to
Treatment 1 with 1263.13 grams final weight and with efficiency of 1.88.
However, Treatment 2 (1217.00 grams and 1.98) and Treatment 3 (1259.33
grams and 1.92) had comparable average final weight and average feed
efficiency to Treatment 1. Birds in Treatment 4 had the lowest average final
weight with 1154.33 grams and the poorest feed converter with 2.07.
Birds fed with 6% azolla meal (Treatment 3) had the highest averages in terms
of body weight gain (939.33 grams) and daily weight gain (44.73 grams). Both
parameters showed highly significant differences (P<0.01) among treatment
means. Slow growth was observed in the birds under Treatment 4 with the
average body weight gain and average daily weight gain of 848.00 grams and
40.29 grams, respectively.
Average azolla meal consumption showed highly significant differences
(P<0.01) among treatment means. As expected, Treatment 4 had the highest
azolla meal consumption followed by Treatments 3, 2 and 1.
Economic analysis showed that the highest return per head of the bird was in
Treatment 3 with Php 40.32. Slight difference was observed in Treatment 1
with a return of Php 39.02. Php 36.02 and Php 31.52 were the return of
Treatment 2 and Treatment 4, respectively.

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From the above results, the author concluded that supplementation of azolla
meal on the ration of broiler chicken up to 6% showed no negative effect on
the growth performance of the broiler chicken and is highly recommended.
Excessive usage of Azolla meal beyond the recommended level would have
negative effect on the growth performance of the chicken due to high fiber
content. Azolla meal is a cheap source of quality protein feedstuff and it may
increase the profit by decreasing the cost of feeds. However, further study with
the same objectives is recommended to find out the consistency of the study
with other poultry species.
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