Effect of dietary supplementation of seaweed (Ulva lactuca) and Azolla on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical parameters of Aseel chicken

Abstract

Background An effort was made to assess the effectiveness of dietary supplementation of Ulva lactuca (U. lactuca), a seaweed and Azolla individually and in combination on different physiological parameters of Aseel chicken. A total of 40 Aseel chicks of 8 weeks old were allocated into four groups, C1 (control), T1 (Azolla alone), T2 (seaweed alone) and T3 (seaweed plus Azolla). Aseel chicks in C1 were fed with formulated grower feed alone, birds in T1 had control diet with 5% Azolla, birds in T2 had control diet with 3% U. lactuca and birds in T3 had control diet admixtured with 5% of Azolla and 3% of U. lactuca. Parameters were recorded for a continuous period of 2 months in 15 days interval. Results The growth performance was found to be significant (P ≤ 0.05) during 30 days of feed trials and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during 45 and 60 days of treatment. Birds in T3 had a higher body weight gain, shank length and feed conversion efficiency followed with T1 and T2 compared to C1. PCV, RBC, WBC and heterophil counts were not influenced (P ≥ 0.05) by dietary treatments. Uric acid, creatinine, AST, glucose, triglycerides and magnesium levels revealed a high significant (P ≤ 0.01) variation, and cholesterol level showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) changes during 30th and 60th day of feed trials between the control and treatment groups. Total protein, globulin, phosphorus and electrolytes like Na, K and Cl levels were not significant (P ≥ 0.05) during 30th day and were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during the 60th day of the trial. Conclusions It could be noted that inclusion of U. lactuca and Azolla as feed supplement in grower chicken had a better body weight gain when given in combination (U. lactuca and Azolla) rather than supplemented with the sole entity. Based on the haematological and serum biochemical analysis, the supplementation of U. lactuca and Azolla at the levels included in this trial did not pose any threat to the physiological well-being of Aseel chicken.

Effect of dietary supplementation of seaweeds on growth and blood profiles of TANUVAS Aseel chicken

“…Between the treatment groups the birds in T2 group showed higher growth convertibility than in the group T1 having supplemented with brown sea weed the S. wightii. Although the brown sea weed contained a range of bioactive compounds, it was proved to have lower nutritional value when compared to the red and green sea weeds (Misurcova 2011;Vijayalingam et al, 2020). The proximate analysis in the present study also showed a higher total protein, higher gross energy and lower fiber content in the red sea weed, G. corticatta when compared to the brown sea weed.…”

“…M odern intensive poultry production has achieved phenomenal gains in the efficient and economical production of high quality and safe chicken meat, eggs and poultry bio-products (Vijayalingam et al, 2020). At the same time as making gains in production and efficiency, the industry has to maximise the health and well-being of the birds with minimal expenditure (Holdt and Kraan, 2011).…”

“…Seaweeds also called macroalgae, which include green (Chlorophyceae), brown (Phaeophyceae) and red algae (Rhodophyceae), are a naturally occurring source of the biomass that develops in variable environments (results also from eutrophication) and is easily cultivated (Cabrita et al, 2016). Seaweeds are the rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including carotenoids, proteins, peptides, vitamins, minerals, oxylipins, phlorotannins, steroids, minerals, essential fatty acids, dietary fibers, polysaccharides, and sulphated polysaccharides (Vijayalingam et al, 2017;Venkatesan et al, 2019;Victor et al, 2022) and when included into feed can improve poultry health and performance as well as increase the quality of poultry products (eggs, meat) (Holdt and Kraan, 2011;Vijayalingam et al. 2020).…”

“…Seaweed can play an important role as poultry stock feed and may serve as the cheapest source of feed supplement (Zahid et al, 2001). Most often, seaweeds are used as feed additives for hens and broilers, but there are also a few reports on their application in duck (El-Deekx et al, 2009;Frasiska et al, 2016), Japanese quail (Karu et al, 2018;Zeweil et al, 2019), cockerel (Ventura et al, 1994) and Aseel chicken (Vijayalingam et al, 2020) feeding.…”

Comparative Study on the Phytochemical Characterization and Biological Activities of Azolla caroliniana and Azolla filiculoides: In Vitro Study

“…Chan et al [ 23 ] showed that trilinolein exhibits an antioxidant effect. The antioxidant effect may also be credited to antioxidants and immune-boosting phytocontents (vitamins and phytochemicals including carotenoids, flavonoids, and tannins) [ 24 ]. Azolla’s high carotene, phenolic, and flavonoid contents are also credited for its immune-enhancing effects [ 25 ].…”