Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Growth Performance of Indigenous (desi) Ducklings of Bangladesh Receiving Diets of Varying Nutrient Concentrations

W. PERVIN
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

S. D. CHOWDHURY
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

M. A. ALI
Department of Poultry Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

M. J. KHAN
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A feeding experiment was conducted with indigenous (desi) ducklings during 0-18 weeks of age in 30 households of female duck farmers in two coastal districts of Bangladesh. The objective was to find out appropriate cost-effective diet(s) to explore higher growth performance under scavenging system. Five dietary treatments each of three replications of nine ducklings were considered for comparison. The control group was reared by a traditional feeding method while the remaining four groups received a starter ration containing either a mixture of broken rice and rice polish (BR+RP) (65:35), low nutrient density (LND) diet (18% CP and 2700 kcal ME/kg), moderate nutrient density (MND) diet (20% CP and 2900 kcal ME/kg) or high nutrient density (HND) diet (22% CP and 3100 kcal ME/kg) and grower ration containing either BR+RP (65:35), LND (15% CP and 2600 kcal ME/kg), MND (17% CP and 2800 kcal ME/kg) or HND diet (19% CP and 3000 kcal ME/kg). The birds, except the control, were fed ad libitum up to 4 weeks of age and after 4 weeks, 50% percent of the daily feed requirement was supplied through supplementary feeding. The results showed that body weight gain and survivability were increased and FCR improved (P<0.001) with an increase in the density of protein and energy in the diets. The MND diet and HND diet showed more or less similar performance. Considering the feed cost and profit margin, it was concluded that MND diet may be recommended for feeding growing indigenous ducklings to explore their growth potential. For the resource poor farmers, LND diet may be suggested before considering MND diet for profitable duckling production.

Keywords: Indigenous ducklings, Supplementary feeding, Nutrition, Performance, Scavenging system

Location: Begumgonj upazilla of Noakhali district and the other in Ramgati upazilla of Lakshmipur district of Bangladesh.

Start Date: 29-10-2011

End Date: 03-03-2012

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Duck, Nutrition

Objectives:

To investigate the responses of ducklings to diets of varying nutrient densities, protein and energy in particular, in order to determine at least an appropriate cost-effective diet to explore their growth potential.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted for a period between 29 October 2011 and 03 March 2012 in two locations one in Begumgonj upazilla (sub-district) of Noakhali district and the other in Ramgati upazilla of Lakshmipur district of Bangladesh. Eggs collected from layer ducks with records of appropriate male: female ratios from rural households were hatched out in a private hatchery. Two hundred seventy, one-day-old indigenous ducklings were distributed to the farmers (135 ducklings in Ramgati and 135 ducklings in Begumgonj upazila). The birds were divided into five treatment groups having three replications each of nine ducklings. Five treatments were compared.The control group was reared by the farmers following traditional method and the remaining four groups received supplemental diets. The starter ration contained either a mixture of broken rice and rice polish (BR+RP) (65:35), low nutrient density (LND) diet, moderate nutrient density (MND) diet or high nutrient density (HND) diet and the grower ration was either a mixture of broken rice and rice polish (65:35), LND, MND or HND diet. All farmers were females who had at least 11-20 years of experience in rearing scavenging ducks. Duck starter ration was supplied up to six weeks of age and the grower ration was supplied during 7-18 weeks of age. All diets were formulated with locally available feed ingredients and MND diet was formulated by consulting the nutrient specifications of Wiseman (1987) and NRC (1994).

Supplemental feeds were given at the rate of 10g in the first week which was further increased at similar rate in each week until 4 weeks (Azad et al., 1998). The daily recommended feed was supplied as the only feed up to 4 weeks of age. Then the birds were allowed to scavenge outside and during this time, 50% of their daily feed requirement was supplied through supplementary feeding. Daily recommended amount of supplemental feeds were divided into two parts and supplied twice daily: 50% in the morning and 50% in the evening on return from scavenging. A control group was maintained simultaneously who received no test diets but received little supplementary feed as already provided by the farmers, as usual, in addition to scavenging. Feeds were supplied in the plastic bowls as mash feed and bowls were cleaned properly before each time of feeding. Initial live weight of individual bird was recorded at one day old and thereafter at the end of every week before morning feeding. Feed consumption and mortality, when this occurred, and feed consumption were recorded regularly. Ducks were vaccinated against duck plague and duck cholera diseases as per recommendation of the manufacturers. The collected data were analyzed by SAS (2007) in a completely randomized design.

Source of Information: Family Poultry Communications, Vo. 22 No. 1, 2013; International Network for family Poultry dvelopment (INFPD), FAO

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Comparison of diets of different nutrient densities showed that better growth performance is achievable from HND diet group. Since MND and HND diets showed statistically similar results, economic consideration is important. Considering the feed cost, profit margin and BCR, it is concluded that MND diet ( starter diet containing 2900 kcal ME/kg and 20% crude protein and that of grower diet containing 2800 kcal ME/kg and 17% crude protein) might be appropriate and cost-effective to explore growth potentials of growing indigenous (desi) ducklings under scavenging system. But an initial consideration of LND diet (starter diet containing 2700 kcal ME/kg and 18% crude protein and a grower diet containing 2600 kcal ME/kg and 15% crude protein) could be suggested for the resource poor farmers because of comparatively lesser cost involvement for profitable production. The feeding experiment also clearly indicated that the indigenous ducks of Bangladesh are genetically more potential as they were thought to be. Therefore, nutritional manipulation to augment production is well justified.

Knowledge Management: Journal