Azolla is one of the cheapest and easiest protein feeds poultry farmers can produce at home. It is a small floating aquatic plant that grows rapidly on water and contains 20–30% protein, making it an excellent supplement for chickens, ducks, pigs and fish.

Many poultry farmers are now growing Azolla because it:

• Reduces chicken feed costs
• Grows very fast
• Requires very small space
• Needs very little investment

With proper management, a small Azolla pond can produce 1–2 kg of feed per day.

What Is Azolla?

7Azolla is a tiny floating fern that grows naturally on water surfaces. It lives in a symbiotic relationship with a microorganism that helps it fix nitrogen, which is why it grows extremely fast.

Because of its high nutritional value, it is widely used as livestock and poultry feed.

Benefits of Azolla for Poultry Farmers

Azolla has several advantages:

High protein content

Contains about 20–30% protein, which is beneficial for egg production and growth.

Fast growth

Azolla can double its biomass within 3–5 days under good conditions.

Low production cost

It requires only water, cow dung, and small amounts of minerals.

Reduces feed costs

Azolla can replace 10–20% of commercial feed.

Easy to grow

Even farmers with very small land space can grow it.

Materials Needed to Grow Azolla

Starting an Azolla unit is very affordable.

You will need:

• Plastic sheet or pond liner
• Bricks or wooden frame
• Cow dung
• Superphosphate fertilizer
• Soil
• Water
• Starter Azolla culture

The startup cost can be less than KSh 2,000.

Step-by-Step SOP for Growing Azolla

Step 1: Select a Suitable Location

Choose a place that:

• Has partial shade
• Is protected from strong wind
• Is close to your poultry house
• Is near a water source

Too much sunlight can slow Azolla growth.

Step 2: Construct the Azolla Pond

A simple pond can be made using:

• Bricks
• Wooden frame
• Plastic sheet

Recommended pond size: 2 metres × 3 metres

Depth:10–15 cm

Line the base with a thick plastic sheet to prevent water leakage.

Step 3: Add Soil

Spread 10–15 kg of fertile soil evenly on the pond floor.

The soil provides minerals needed for Azolla growth.

Step 4: Add Water

Add water until the depth reaches 8–10 cm.

Avoid deep water because Azolla floats on the surface.

Step 5: Add Nutrients

Add the following:

• 1–2 kg fresh cow dung
• 20–30 grams superphosphate fertilizer

Mix well in the water.

These nutrients stimulate rapid Azolla growth.

Step 6: Introduce Azolla Culture

Add 500 g to 1 kg of fresh Azolla into the pond.

Spread it evenly across the water surface.

Within 10–15 days, the pond will usually become fully covered with Azolla.

Step 7: Maintain the Pond

Proper maintenance is important for continuous production.

Maintain:

• Water depth at 8–10 cm
• Partial shade
• Clean water

Add:

• Cow dung weekly
• Small amount of superphosphate every 10 days

Harvesting Azolla

10Harvest Azolla daily after the pond is fully covered.

Use:

• Plastic sieve
• Small net
• Perforated basket

Harvest about 500 g – 2 kg per day from a 2 × 3 m pond.

Always leave some Azolla behind to allow regrowth.

How to Feed Azolla to Chickens

Before feeding:

1. Wash Azolla with clean water
2. Remove mud and impurities

Feeding methods:

• Mix with chicken mash
• Feed fresh in a tray
• Mix with kitchen leftovers

Recommended feeding rate:

• 10–20 grams per chicken per day

Azolla should be used as a supplement, not the main feed.

Tips for Faster Azolla Growth

To achieve good production:

• Maintain water depth at 8–10 cm
• Provide 50–60% shade
• Add cow dung regularly
• Replace water every 2–3 weeks

Good management ensures continuous production year-round.

Common Problems and Solutions

Azolla turning yellow

Cause:

• Lack of nutrients

Solution:

• Add cow dung and phosphate fertilizer

Azolla dying

Cause:

• Too much sunlight or heat

Solution:

• Provide shade

Slow growth

Cause:

• Lack of nutrients

Solution:

• Add cow dung slurry

Production Potential

A 2 × 3 metre Azolla pond can produce:

• 1–2 kg Azolla daily

This can feed 50–100 chickens as a supplement.

For larger poultry farms, farmers can build multiple Azolla ponds.

Final Thoughts

Azolla is one of the most practical and low-cost poultry feed supplements available to farmers in Kenya. It requires very little investment and can significantly reduce the cost of feeding chickens.

Farmers who combine Azolla with homemade feed, termites, and kitchen leftovers can cut poultry feed costs by 30–40%.

With the rising cost of commercial feeds, Azolla is becoming an important solution for profitable poultry farming.