Vol. 9, Special Issue 5, Part B (2024)

Author(s): Poonam V Mawal, Dr. VG Atkare, Dr. Bhavana R Wankhade, Nikita P Pawar and Supriya R Dange

Abstract: The present investigation on studies on effect of feeding fresh Azolla (Azolla pinnata) on growth performance of male goat kids of Osmanabadi goat was conducted at Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science Section, College of Agriculture, Nagpur for period of 63 days. Six goat kids between (6 to 9) months of age were divided into 3 equal groups on the basis of nearness to age and body weight as T₁ (Natural Grazing + Conc. mixture 200 gm), T₂ (4 hrs Grazing + Conc. mixture of 150 gm + Fresh Azolla 100 gm) and T₃ (4 hrs Grazing + Conc. mixture of 100 gm + Fresh Azolla 200 gm), respectively. The average daily gain in body weight of experimental kids was more in T₃ (0.038 kg) followed by T₂ (0.036 kg) and less in T₁ (0.030 kg). The average total gain in body measurement (body height, body length and chest girth) was higher in treatment T₃ as compared to T₂ and T₁. From the result it may be concluded that supplementation of green Azolla (Azolla pinnata) and concentrate in the diet is beneficial to increase body weight gain and health of the experimental goat kids.