Growth performances and digestability in Pekin ducks fed on a diet containing fermented agro-industrial by-products

Abstract

Abstract Poultry industries in Indonesia develop rapidly in line with the increasing demand for poultry meat and eggs. However, fluctuations in availability and the high price of commercial feed bring about a serious problem for traditional farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding a diet containing a fermented mixture of water hyacinth leaves (Eichornia crassipes), rice bran, and blood (WRPS) on the production performance and nutrient digestibility of Pekin ducks. This research was conducted for 6 weeks using 100 Pekin ducks (unsex) aged 2 weeks. This study was conducted using a completely randomized design consisting of 4 treatments and 5 replications. The dietary treatments were T0 (control), T1 (30% WRPS), T2 (40% WRPS), and T3 (50% WRPS). At the end of the feeding trial, one duck from each replicate was put in a metabolic cage for digestibility study, adopting the total collection method. Incorporating WRPS in the diet brought significant differences (p<0.05) in feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion, and digestibility. It can be concluded that the fermented mixture of water hyacinth leaves, rice bran, and protein of slaughtered waste as much as 30% can be used in the diet of Pekin ducks.