Substitution of Soybean Meal with Azolla pinnata Meal Improves Gut Histomorphology and Growth Performance in Commercial Broilers

ABSTRACT The rising cost and environmental impact of conventional protein sources in poultry feed necessitate exploration of sustainable alternatives. Azolla pinnata (AP), a nutrient-rich aquatic fern, has emerged as a promising candidate. Our objective was to evaluate the potential of AP as a sustainable feed ingredient for broilers, focusing on its impact on growth, feed efficiency, gut health, and profitability. To obtain AP, we harvested green Azolla from river banks using plastic sieves, sun-dried it, and pulverized it. Three-hundred-day-old Cobb chicks were individually weighed and randomly assigned to four dietary groups, namely: Group A (the control, 0g APM/kg feed), Group B (1g APM/kg feed), Group C (2g APM/kg feed), and Group D (3g APM/kg feed). The study used a completely randomized design with four treatments, each having three replicates of 15 broilers. Broiler weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), villus height, villus-crypt ratio, and economic returns were assessed. The results showed that broilers fed with 3g APM/kg feed had significantly improved weight gain, optimal feed intake, and the lowest FCR compared to other groups. This group also exhibited increased villus height and villus-crypt ratio, suggesting enhanced nutrient absorption. Notably, the 3g APM/kg feed group showed a 22% increase in net returns compared to the control. This study provides compelling evidence for the potential of APM as a sustainable and cost-effective protein source in broiler diets. It offers economic benefits to farmers while promoting gut health and improved broiler performance. Further research can explore the long-term effects and optimal APM inclusion levels for large-scale adoption in the poultry industry.