Growth Performance of Broiler Chicken (Gallus domesticus) Fed Commercial Ration Supplemented with Varying Levels of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) Meal

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).

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

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:

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. 

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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.

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=

 

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 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.

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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