Feeding value of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) meal in growing Japanese quail

Abstract

A five week (0 to 5 wks of age) feeding trial was conducted involving three dietary inclusion levels (2.5, 5 and 7.5%) of Azolla meal (AZM) with control in a standard broiler quail diet. Biological experiment was undertaken in a complete randomized design (CRD) with day old quail chicks (n = 240) assigned to four dietary treatments (i.e. one control + 3 test diets) in such a way that each treatment had 4 replicates of 15 quail chicks accommodating 60 chicks per treatment. Azolla meal was prepared by collecting fresh azolla, then washed with fresh water then it was dried, grinded and used in experimental diets. The results of study on growth performance demonstrated that during 0–5 weeks of age, dietary group D-3 and D-4 having 5 and 7.5% AZM showed higher body weight gain which differs significantly (P<0.05) as compared to control and other treatment. Data pertaining to feed intake in different dietary treatments revealed that in all dietary treatment groups there was no significant differences in cumulative feed intake. Throughout the experiment, the FCR was not found to significantly different due to different dietary treatments. The overall results of present study on nutrient utilization indicate that Azolla meal supplemented groups showed better nutrient utilization as compared to control diet in terms of per cent DM, nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus retention. Cost benefit analysis in terms of Rs/kg body weight gain and Rs/kg meat production was numerically lower in 2.5, 5 and 7.5% AZM groups as compare to control group. The study envisaged that incorporation of azolla meal up to 7.5% level in diet supplementation having better growth performance and nutrient utilization in growing meat type Japanese quails during 0–5 weeks of age.