Utilization of aquatic plants Elodea canadensis and Hydrilla verticillata in broiler chick diets

Abstract

A 21-day study was conducted to assess the feeding value of elodea ( Elodea canadensis Michx.) and hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata Rich.). One hundred and ninety-two 2-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 8 chicks each. For the dietary treatments, dried ground aquatic plants replaced ground yellow maize and soya-bean meal, as follows: (1) control (basal); (2) basal with 5% elodea; (3) basal with 10% elodea; (4) basal with 5% hydrilla. Elodea and hydrilla had higher concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium and trace elements, especially iron and manganese, than maize and soya-bean meal. Chicks given 5 or 10% elodea had similar feed conversion, feed intake and body weight gain to controls. However, 5% hydrilla significantly ( P < 0.05) depressed feed conversion, feed intake and body weight gains. The relatively high ash and/or calcium content of hydrilla may be responsible for lowered performance. Hydrilla may possibly need to be washed with tap water to remove sand and/or calcium accumulation on the leaves before giving it to poultry.