Growth Performance of Mallard Duck Fed Azolla as Partial Replacement of Soybean Meal

Abstract

To evaluate the growth performance of mallard ducks fed azolla as partial replacement of soybean meal, a study was carried out from April 6, 2020 to June 6, 2020 in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. A total of apparently healthy, 180 heads of 15-day-old mallard ducks (90 female and 90 male) were used in the study with 2 x 3 factorial experiment in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Factor A was the sex of ducks while Factor B was the level of substitution. Mallard ducks with a 10% substitution level were significantly better than the 20% substitution level in terms of weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and ROI. Further analysis on the dressing percentage revealed that there was no significant effect on the sex of ducks, level of substitution and interactions between the two factors. The results of the study revealed that the azolla meal diets have nutritive and feeding values based on the proximate analysis being conducted. It was concluded that Azolla at 10% level in the diet improved gain in body weight, feed consumption and FCR especially on both sexes of ducks. Using mash rations with the inclusion of Azolla at 10% level could be used as substitutes for soya bean meal on mallard duck diet. All these facts suggested further study on other level of substitutions of Azolla to soybean nmeal to gain additional knowledge about its effects, study focusing on only one sex of mallard duck to further analyze the economics and tried to other animals, such as swine and ruminants, as an alternative source of protein with 10% level of substitution, and educate and encourage farmers through training and seminars to raise and produce azolla in order to make it readily available to animals, especially during lean months, as arable areas for feed crops are declining due to the higher populations of both humans and animals.