GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF COLOURED CHICKEN FED ON DIETS CONTAINING AZOLLA Azolla pinnata AND SUPPLEMENTAL CHROMIUM

Abstract

A study was conducted to find out the optimum inclusion level of Azolla pinnata (powder or newlineraw form) and supplemental level of chromium picolinate and the effect of their interaction on newlineproduction performance, immune response and carcass characteristics of coloured chicken. Three newlineexperiments were conducted on straight run Chabro chicks from day old to 8 weeks of age, In each newlineexperiment 120 day old chicks were distributed randomly on the basis of uniform body weight in to the newlinefour treatments groups. The first experiment was conducted to assess the performance of coloured newlinechicken on the raw and/ or the powder form of Azolla pinnata. Treatment diets were T1-basal diet, T2- newlineBasal diet+5% Azolla meal, T3- Basal diet (+Raw azolla after 4 weeks) and T4- Basal diet+5% Azolla newlinemeal (Basal diet+ Raw azolla after 4 weeks). Average weekly body weight of the birds fed with T2 was newlinefound significantly or apparently better. The FCR during starter phase and 0-8 weeks (overall) was newlineapparently better in the treatment group T2. Significantly higher (Plt0.01) TLC, Heterophil, eosinophil, newlinelymphocyte and monocyte count in T2 was recorded. No significant effect of feeding azolla on plasma newlineprotein, albumin, creatinine, uric acid, cholesterol, SGPT and ALP. The mean values observed in newlinetriglycerides and SGOT for T2, T3 and T4 were significantly higher than (Plt0.01) the T1. Response to newline1% SRBC (log2 titre) and cell mediated immune response to PHA-P was apparently better in T2. No newlinesignificant differences in slaughter traits were recorded, only significant increase (Plt0.05) was newlineobserved in the per cent gizzard weight in azolla fed groups. Calcium content in breast meat was newlineapparently or significantly higher (Plt0.05) in T2 and T4 groups. The second experiment was newlineperformed to find out the optimum supplemental level of chromium picolinate supplementation from 0, newline400, 800, 1600 ppb. No significant differences on the average weekly body weight and body weight newlinegain of coloured chicken were recorded during the course of the experim