Effect of Azolla on small intestine of broiler chicken Ara Shoukat*, Adil S., Ahmad Manzoor, Banday M.T., Rather A.Q. Division of Environmental Sciences, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar - 191 121 (J & K) *Corresponding author: E.mail - drshoukataratak@gmail.com
Online published on 29 April, 2013. Abstract To determine the effect of dietary inclusion of high fiber (14.3%) Azolla on small intestinal histomorphology of broiler chicken, the birds in control (T1) group were fed the basal diet, where as in other treatment groups fish meal was replaced by 5 (T2), 10 (T3), 15 (T4) and 20% (T5) Azolla. Replacement of fish meal in the diet by Azolla beyond 5% level significantly (P<0.05) decreased villus height in duodenum, jejunum and ileum when compared with the control group. The highest duodenal, jejunal and ileal villus heights were recorded in control group. Broiler chicken in T2 group had higher body weights compared to control and other groups. No significant effect (P>0.05) was recorded on crypt depth of duodenum, jejunum and ileum among different treatment groups. Muscularis thickness decreased (P>0.0.5) linearly with increase in the level of Azolla in diet. Top Keywords Azolla, broiler chicken, histomorphology. Top |