author(s)
Poonam Soren and Praveen Kumar

abstract
The water fern Azolla spp. is found to be rich in protein and minerals. Azolla (Azolla pinnata) is being assessed for feeding value in laying hen diets. The feeding value of Azolla in laying hens was studied in this trial. Azolla meal was included at a level of 200 g kg⁻¹ feed diet. A total of 60 poultries were selected for study which, were randomly divided into 3 groups. In gr 1, the poultry was fed with household feed, gr 2 was fed with a nutritional poultry feed grain rich in protein along with the diet. In gr 3, 200 g kg⁻¹ feed Azolla meal was included in diets. The performance of gr 3 was compared to that of the gr 1 and 2, on the basis of body weight and the egg production and its weight. There was a significant increase in the egg production and weight in egg. Poultry in gr 1 produced green shell egg. The greenish pigmentation of egg shell is giving the farmers double the rate of a normal egg.