Effect of Fresh Azolla Pinnata Grown on Different Manures on Growth and Laying Performance of Sonali Birds Under Backyard System

Abstract

The present study evaluated the nutritional quality and biomass productivity of fresh Azolla pinnata cultivated on poultry, pig and cattle manure, and assessed its effect on growth performance, laying traits and economic efficiency of Sonali birds under rural backyard conditions. Proximate composition analysis revealed only marginal variation among Azolla grown on different manure sources, indicating a stable nutritional profile irrespective of manure type. Azolla produced using poultry manure recorded slightly higher crude protein and mineral content. Biomass yield differed significantly among manure treatments, with poultry manure producing the highest yield per unit area, followed by pig and cattle manure. Dietary supplementation of fresh Azolla pinnata at 25 g/bird/day significantly increased body weight gain, reduced age at sexual maturity, improved hen-day egg production, total egg output, egg   weight and feed conversion ratio in Sonali birds. Partial replacement of concentrate feed with Azolla resulted in a feed cost reduction of 12–15%. The study demonstrates that integration of on-farm Azolla cultivation with backyard poultry farming is a low-cost, sustainable and farmer-friendly strategy for enhancing productivity and profitability of Sonali birds under rural production systems.