• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1445-1450
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• 2012

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of alfalfa meal on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract development of growing layer ducks to provide evidence for application of alfalfa meal in the duck industry. Two hundred and fifty-six healthy Shaoxing 7-wk old growing layer ducks were selected and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments based on corn and soybean meal and containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% of alfalfa meal for 8 wks. Each treatment consisted of 4 replicates of 16 ducks each. Briefly, birds were raised in separate compartments, and each compartment consisted of three parts: indoor floor house, adjacent open area and a connecting water area. The results showed: i) Growing ducks fed alfalfa meal diet were not significantly different in average daily gain, feed intake and gain-to-feed ratio from those fed no alfalfa diet (p>0.05). ii) Alfalfa meal increased the ratio crop, gizzard to live weight, caecum to live weight, the caecum index of growing ducks (p<0.05). iii) Villus height in duodenum and jejunum of growing ducks increased significantly with the increase of alfalfa meal levels (p<0.05). Crypt depth in duodenum and jejunum of growing ducks decreased significantly with the increase of alfalfa meal levels (p<0.05). This experiment showed that feeding of alfalfa meal to growing layer ducks could improve gastrointestinal tract growth and small intestinal morphology without effect on performance. This experiment provides evidence that alfalfa meal is a very valuable feedstuff for growing layer ducks.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1090-1095
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• 1999

In order to minimize the occurrence of fatty liver, this study investigated how adding a high level of dietary choline or methionine affected the lipid metabolism of Tsaiya ducks. Feeding trials were conducted with sixty Tsaiya ducks during their growing period, when they were 8-12 weeks old, and during their laying period, 10-14 weeks after the onset of laying when they were 26-30 weeks old. The ducks were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (basal diet), a group in which methionine was added to the basal diet, and a group in which choline was added to the basal diet. The levels of methionine and choline added were twice as high as the levels recommended by the NRC for layer-type chickens. Experimental results indicated that adding choline to the basal diet of growing ducks significantly (p<0.05) increased their body weight, while adding methionine significantly (p<0.05)reduced their body weight. Adding either choline or methionine reduced the ducks' liver fat content in both the growing and the laying periods (p<0.05). Ducks receiving added methionine or choline in their diets displayed enhanced egg production (p<0.05). Adding choline increased serum triacylglycerol (TG) in the laying period (p<0.05). Adding either choline or methionine did not significantly (p>0.05) affect the t-globulin level. Adding methionine increased the activity of liver malic dehydrogenase in both the growing and the laying periods, and increased fatty acid synthetase in the laying period (p<0.05). While adding choline markedly (p>0.05) increased VLDL and apo B in both the growing and the laying periods, it decreased HDL and apo A in the laying period (p<0.05). This study found that adding a high level of choline to the basal diets of Tsaiya ducks in both the growing and the laying periods had beneficial effects. Furthermore, adding methionine affected the lipid metabolism of Tsaiya ducks to a lesser extent than adding choline.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1258-1262
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• 1999

With an attempt to elucidating the lipid metabolism of Tsaiya ducks, thirty ducks at growing (8 weeks of age) and laying periods (10 weeks after the onset of laying) were examined, respectively. The ducks were randomly allocated into ad libitum feeding and 3-day fasting groups, to investigate their in vitro hepatocytes lipogenesis capacity and adipocytes lipolysis rate. Results indicate that (1) the capacity of hepatocytes incorporation of glucose and acetate into total lipid and metabolite of $^{14}CO_2$ production during the laying period was greater than during the growing period. Approximately 50% of the glucose or acetate converted into triacylglycerol (TG) by the hepatocytes were recovered as fatty acid during the growing period, while it was 65-70% during the laying period. (2) Acetate used for lipogenesis ability was superior to glucose in both periods. (3) The adipocytes lipolysis rate was increased significantly (p<0.05) by fasting. In contrast, the capacity of incorporated glucose or acetate into total lipid, triacylglycerol, fatty acid and glycerol by hepatocytes was reduced significantly (p<0.05) by fasting.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.357-363
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• 1992

The experiment was carried out to estimate the energy and protein requirements of Khaki Campbell $\times$ Thai Native growing ducks. The growing stage was divided into 2: the first was a starting stage from 0 to 4 weeks of age and the second was a growing stage from 4 to 18 weeks of age. In the starting stage, the birds were given diets containing 2.70, 2.75, 2.80, 2.85 and 2.90 Mcal ME/kg and ME/protein ratio of 150/l for the energy requirement trial, and diets containing 17.0%, 18.5%, 20.0% and 21.5% protein and 2.8 Mcal ME/kg for the protein requirement trial. It was found that there were no significant differences in body weight gain of feed efficiency among the energy or protein levels. In the growing stage, no significant differences in body weight gain or feed efficiency were found among the energy levels from 2.70 to 2.90 Mcal ME, or protein levels from 15.5% to 20.0%. The age at first lay was 105-117 days and this is earlier than that observed in purebred Khaki Campbell ducks. The feed cost for raising ducks was lower in the low energy and low protein diets. In conclusion, Khaki Campbell $\times$ Thai native ducks can be raised with a diet low in ME as 2.7 Mcal/kg during the whole growing period. As for the protein. 7.0% in the starting stage and 15.5% in the growing stage is practical.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1741-1746
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• 2001

An experiment was conducted at the experimental duck farm of Cantho University to determine the effects of feeding duckweed (Lemna minor) that completely replaced commercial protein supplements in diets for crossbred meat ducks. The experiment included five treatments, with four replicates and ten crossbred ducks per replicate (pen). The five diets were based on broken rice offered ad libitum, supplemented with either 27 (control, SB100), 19 (SB70), 15 (SB55), 12 (SB40) or zero (SB0) g/day of ground, roasted soya beans, with fresh duckweed supplied ad libitum, except for the control (SB0) treatment. A vitamin / mineral premix and salt were included in the control (SB100) diet, but not in the diets with duckweed. These diets were fed to growing crossbred meat ducks (Czechoslovak Cherry Valley hybrids) from 28 to 63 days of age, when two birds (one male and one female) per pen were slaughtered for carcass evaluation. Total daily intakes were 95, 108, 108, 105 and 107 g of dry matter (DM) (p<0.001) and daily live weight gains 26.1, 29.1, 28.3, 27.1 and 27.6 g (p<0.001) for the SB100, SB70, SB55, SB40 and SB0 diets, respectively. Corresponding feed conversion ratios (FCR, dry matter basis) were 3.63, 3.71, 3.82, 3.89 and 3.88 kg feed/kg gain, respectively. There were no significant differences in carcass yields, chest and thigh muscle weights, and internal organ weights between the ducks fed the control diet and those fed duckweed diets. Fresh duckweed can completely replace roasted soya beans and a vitamin-mineral premix in broken rice based diets for growing crossbred ducks without reduction in growth performance or carcass traits. If the duckweed is grown on farm, and managed and harvested by household labour, the saving over purchased protein supplements is up to 48%.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.403-408
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• 2003

The study investigated the lipid metabolism of Tsaiya ducks under fasting and ad libitum feeding conditions. Sixty Tsaiya ducks in their growing period (8-12 wk-old) and sixty Tsaiya ducks in their laying period (26-30 wk-old, 10-14 weeks after the onset of laying) were randomly divided into ad libitum feeding and 3-day fasting groups. The activities of lipid metabolism related enzymes were determined. Experimental results indicated that fasting depressed the activities of lipogenesis related enzymes such as fatty acid synthetase and NADP-malic dehydrogenase in both periods (p<0.05). Fasting also increased the activities of liver fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation enzymes (p<0.05). However, the activities of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue, heart and ovarian follicle in both periods and the hormone-sensitive lipase of adipose tissue in the growing period were decreased by fasting (p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2005

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of level and feeding period of dietary Monascus culture on the performance and cholesterol content of serum and meat in broilers and growing ducks.0.0(C), 0.5(T1), 1.0(T2) and $1.5\%(T3)$ of iwonascus culture which contained 0.5% monacolin-k was added to commercial broiler diets, respectively, and ffd during 2~6 weeks of age in Experiment 1. In Experilnent 2, commercial broiler diet added $1.0\%$ of Monascus culture was fed during $6\~6(C),\;4\~6(T1),\;2\~6(T2)\;and\;0\~6(T3)$ weeks of age, respectively. Three replicates of 16 day-old broilers and 10 day-old growing ducks each were randomly assigned to floor pen, respectively. In Experiment 1, as the level of dietary Monascus culture increased, body weight and feed intake of broilers significantly decreased (P<0.05), whereas those of growing ducks tended to increase without significant differences among treatments. Feed/gain ratio both in broilers and growing ducks showed a trend to increase. Cholesterol contents of serum both in broilers and growing ducks significantly decreased(P<0.05), and those of breast and thigh meat tended to decrease as the level of dietary Monascus culture increased. In Experiment 2, as the feeding period of dietary Monascus culture increased, body weight gain(P<0.05) and feed intake of broilers tended to decrease whereas those of growing ducks increased without significant differences anions treatments. Feed/gain ratio also increased without significant differences. Cholesterol contents of serum both in broilers and growing ducks significantly decreased(P<0.05), and those of breast and thigh meat tended to decrease as the feeding period of dietary Monascus culture increased without significant differences.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1510-1517
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• 2003

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of brewery waste (BW) replacement of concentrate (C) in growing duck diets. In Exp. 1, which was carried out on-station, 300 ducklings were allocated in a $2{\times}5$ factorial experiment: Two breeds (local Muscovy and crosses of French and local Muscovy)${\times}5$ levels of C and with BW offered ad libitum. Concentrate only ad libitum as the control diet (C100), and levels of 75% (C75), 50% (C50), 25% (C25) and 0% (C0) of the amount of the control diet consumed, and with BW ad libitum. In Exp. 2, 200 ducklings were allocated in a $2{\times}2$ factorial experiment on five smallholdings: two breeds (local and crossbred Muscovy ducks)${\times}2$ diets (the C100 and C50 diets from Exp.1). In Exp.1 total dry matter (DM), BW, crude fiber (CF) and crude protein (CP) intakes were highest on the C0 diet and ME and lysine intakes lowest (p<0.001). Daily live weight gains were higher for the crossbred ducks than for the local Muscovies (p<0.05) and were highest for treatments C100 and C50, and lowest for treatment C0 (p<0.05). Weights of breast muscle, liver and abdominal fat were significantly higher for the crossbred ducks. Breast and thigh muscle and abdominal fat weights were significantly higher for the C100, C75 and C50 diets, while gizzard weights were highest for the C25 and C0 treatments. Net profits were higher for the crosses, and for treatments C50 and C25. In Exp. 2 total DM, CF and CP intakes were significantly higher for the C50 diet, and ME intakes lower (p<0.001). Daily gains of the crosses were significantly higher than those of the local Muscovy ducks, and were similar for the C100 and C50 diets. The highest net profits were from the crosses and ducks fed the C50 diet. It was concluded that BW can replace 50% of the concentrate in growing Muscovy duck diets without reducing daily live weight gains and with improved economic benefits.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.825-834
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• 2005

Two experiments were conducted with growing crossbred Super-Meat ducks at the experimental duck farm of Cantho University to evaluate the effects of reducing the proportion of soybean meal (SBM) in a broken rice (BR)-SBM mixture and providing soya waste (SW) ad libitum (Expt. 1), and reducing the proportion of fish meal (FM) in a BR-FM mixture and supplying ensiled shrimp waste (ESW) ad libitum (Expt.2). Both experiments included five treatments, with three replicates and ten growing ducks per replicate. In Expt.1, the five diets were based on BR and five levels of SBM, with SW offered ad libitum. The control diet (SBM25) consisted of 75% BR and 25% SBM, and the other four treatments included SBM levels of 20% (SBM20), 14% (SBM14), 8% (SBM8) and 0% (SBM0) mixed with BR to 100%, and with SW ad libitum. In Expt. 2, the control diet consisted of 86% BR and 14% FM, and the other dietary treatments had FM levels of 11% (FM11), 8% (FM8), 4% (FM4) and 0% (FM0) mixed with BR, and with ESW ad libitum. In Expt. 1, total intakes of dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and metabolizable energy (ME) were higher for birds given SW (p<0.001). Total CP intake was highest on the SBM20 diet, and lowest on the SBM0 diet (p<0.001). Lower daily gain (DG) was found for the SBM0 diet (p<0.01). Carcass weights were higher on the control treatment, with the lowest values on the SBM0 diet (p<0.001). Gizzard weights were higher on diets with high intakes of SW (p<0.05). In Expt. 2, birds with high intakes of ESW (FM4 and FM0) had lower (p<0.01) daily intakes of DM. The total CP intakes declined (p<0.001) with higher intakes of ESW. The highest DG were for the control and FM11 diets, while the lowest value was for diet FM0 (p<0.001). The poorest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was for the FM0 treatment (p<0.01). Lower weights of carcass and breast muscle were found on the FM0 diet (p<0.001). Feed costs per kg gain were only slightly different between diets. However, the lowest feed cost was for ducks on the SBM0 and FM11 diets in Expt.1 and Expt. 2, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.659-665
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• 2011

This work was conducted to evaluate the hatching and growing performance of Korean Native Ducks (KND) Pure Breeding Line (PL). A total of 400 male and female pullets were produced from PL to keep in National Institute of Animal Science, Korea. Pullets were divided into 4 treatments, 5 repetitions per treatment, and 20 heads per repetition. Four treatments were compared in a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement with 2 groups (White strains, WW; Jade Green strains, CC) for their parents and 2 groups (male and female). Livability was not significantly different at 20 weeks among male and female of 2 strains. There was no significant difference on body weight and feed intake between WW and CC strains (P>0.05), but there was significantly different on body weight and feed intake between male and female (P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio of female was higher compared to male (P<0.05), but there was no significantly different between CC and WW strains. These results provide the basic data to develope the new strains of Korean Native Ducks.