Nutritional and growth benefits of azolla in backyard Poultry: Insights from field trials in Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu

Backyard poultry farming remains a vital livelihood option in rural India, yet feed cost continues to limit its profitability. Azolla (Azolla pinnata), a protein-rich aquatic fern, offers a low-cost, sustainable feed alternative. This study evaluated the effect of Azolla supplementation on growth performance, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and biochemical profiles of backyard poultry over a 12-week trial in Sarugani village, Sivagangai district, Tamil Nadu. A total of 100 birds were divided into two groups: a control group receiving conventional feed and a treatment group supplemented with 100 g Azolla per bird daily. Results showed significantly higher weight gain (460.5 ± 15 g vs. 398.2 ± 12 g) and improved FCR (2.35 vs. 2.92) in the Azolla group (P < 0.05). Phytochemical analysis revealed high crude protein (28.5%), β-carotene (34.2 mg/kg), and calcium (0.72%), along with the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, and saponins. Azolla supplementation is a promising, sustainable strategy to improve backyard poultry productivity.