Feeding of Azolla (A. microphylla) to Kadaknath Birds for their Growth and Survivability

Author: Chandan Kumar, Subhash Chandra and A.K. Sharma

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Abstract

Kadaknath is an uncommon black meat chicken (BMC) breed of India which is famous for its quality of meat and their health benefits. The main problems with this species in farmer's fields and intensive care facilities are high mortality, illness rates, and low development rates. The main aim of this study was to see the effect of supplementary feeding as well as the feed replacement effect of azolla (A. microphylla) on kadaknath birds for their growth and survivability. Azolla is a free floating water fern that floats in water and fixes atmospheric nitrogen in association with the nitrogen fixing blue green alga, Anabaena azollae. Azolla pinnata is most commonly used as a feed substitute for livestock as well as on poultry, piggery and fish. The main aim of this study is to find out the impact of feeding of improved variety of Azolla i.e A. microphylla feeding to kadaknath birds (1 month old). Fresh Azolla microphylla ponds (3’× 6’) size was used for experimental purpose. 600 kadaknath chicks (4 weeks old) of same age, weight was selected and distributed randomly into 3 groups of 200 birds each, In T1 (control) kadaknath birds were fed normal feed, in T2 group normal diets along with @ 5% extra supplementary feed) on DM basis were fed, and in T3 group 5 % replacement of normal feeds with fresh Azolla microphylla (DM basis) were given. The growth rate, mortality rate was recorded periodically for all the three groups of the experiments. The data on growth rate, mortality rate showed significant changes in Azolla fed kadaknath birds (T2) as compared to control groups (T1). The main challenge of this study was availability of the birds as per requirement of the study and their maintenance during experimental periods. This study not only save the money of the kadaknath growers but also helps them to maintain their Kadaknath stock healthy which will add increase the quality of meat and eggs.

Keywords

Kadaknath birds, black meat chicken, Azolla microphylla, Growth, Rate, Mortality

Conclusion

The unorganised poultry sector which contributes around 20% of total poultry population, Kadaknath is one of them reared by tribal as well as selected poultry growers. The growth of poultry industry was limited during the last two fiscal years because of the pandemic especially organised sector but unorganised sector shown less impact of lockdown. However, due to high price of maize and soy meal the cost of production is more, hence kadaknath growers started searching alternate source of feed in which Azolla microphylla solve their problems. The palatability, digestibility and their potential to prevent birds from disease further improved their demand.

References

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How to cite this article

Chandan Kumar, Subhash Chandra and A.K. Sharma (2023). Feeding of Azolla (A. microphylla) to Kadaknath Birds for their Growth and Survivability. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 300-304.