Influence of Feeding Azolla Containing Complete Pellet Feed on Performance of Goat Kids

Abstract

A field trial was conducted to study the effect of feeding azolla (Azolla microphylla) containing complete pellet feed on growth, blood and rumen metabolites in growing goats. Eight non-descript male kids (4–5 months of age and 13.6±0.86 live weight) were divided in 2 groups of 4 each. The control group was fed with complete pellet feed having Bengal gram straw and concentrate mixture in 60: 40 ratio. The treatment group was fed with iso-nitrogenous complete pellet feed in which 25% of concentrate mixture was replaced with sun dried azolla. The duration of experimental feeding was 60 days. Blood and rumen liquor samples were collected at the end of experimental feeding. Though, average daily gain was similar in both the groups (55 and 82.92 g) but the inclusion of azolla improved the growth rate by 27 g/d. The DM intake and feed conversion ratio were similar in both the groups. The values of blood (Hb, total protein, albumin, globulin, Ca and P) and rumen fermentation parameters (pH, total volatile fatty acids, ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen, TCA-ppt nitrogen and non-protein nitrogen) were also similar in two groups of goat kids. It was concluded that sun dried azolla could replace 25% of concentrate mixture in complete pellet diets of growing goats.