Performance of growing sheep on Azolla based diets

Abstract

20 male Corriedale sheep (3 months of age) were divided into 5 equal groups viz, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 and fed on measured quantity of concentrate mixture containing 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24% azolla replacing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% linseed cake respectively. Measured quantity of good quality oat hay was offered to all the groups as per their body weight to meet their requirement. Highest body weight was observed in T1 group and it had no significant difference with T2 group, but it had significant difference with T3, T4 and T5 groups. T2 group had significant difference with T5 group, but with other groups it had no significant difference in final body weight. Lowest body weight was observed in T5 group but it had no significant difference with T3 and T4 groups. Highest DM digestibility was observed in T2 group and lowest DM digestibility was observed in T5. But no significant difference was observed in DM digestibility among the groups. Lowest FCR was observed in T1 (control) followed by T2 group and they had significant difference with T3, T4 and T5 group, but no significant difference was observed between T1 and T2 group. Lowest cost of feeding per kg of gain was observed in T2 group and it had significant difference with T3, T4 and T5 group but not with T1 group (control). No significant difference was also observed among T3, T4 and T5 group but significantly higher cost of feeding per kg of gain than T1 (control) group was observed in T3, T4 and T5 group. It was concluded that azolla can be added in the diet of growing sheep at 6% level replacing linseed cake without any adverse effect on the performance of the animals.