Effect of Asystasia gangetica inclusion in the diet on the feed intake, growth performance, and meat quality of Muscovy ducks.

Abstract

The rising cost of imported feedstuffs in poultry production is a significant concern for producers. Utilising local resources like Asystasia gangetica, a common perennial weed with high nutritional value, offers a promising alternative. Ducks can better digest high-fibre diets than chickens, making them ideal for this study, which evaluated the effects of pelleted diets containing various levels of A. gangetica on feed intake, growth performance, and meat quality in Muscovy ducks. Sixty 2-week-old ducks were divided into four dietary groups: 0% (control), 5% (T1S), 10% (T2S), and 20% (T3S) during the starter phase, and 0% (control), 10% (T1G), 20% (T2G), and 30% (T3G) during the grower phase with three replicates per group (five birds per replicate). Ducks on T3S and T3G diets had higher crude fibre and ash intakes, while those on the control diet consumed more crude protein (CP) and ether extract. Overall body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were better (p < 0.05) in ducks received the control diet compared to those received the other diets. No significant differences in carcass composition were found between the studied groups, except in meat quality. Varying levels of A. gangetica affected (p < 0.05) the magnesium and potassium levels in meat, with T1G showing the highest concentrations of both minerals. However, the control group had the highest protein content in meat. In conclusion, incorporating A. gangetica up to 10% in the starter diet and 20% in the grower diet does not adversely affect dry matter or CP intakes or weight gain, making it a viable feed ingredient.