Effect of probiotic supplementation on the performance of white pekin ducks
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Date
2003
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Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy
Abstract
One hundred and forty-four straight run day-old broiler ducklings,
randomly divided into three treatment groups of four replicates with 12 ducklings
each were used to study the effect of probiotic 'Livesac' (Lactic acid bacilli, live
yeast cells and traces of enzymes) supplementation on the performance of Vigova
variety of White Pekin ducks for a period of eight weeks. Standard broiler rations
formulated as per BIS specifications (1992) were used as duck starter and finisher
rations. Ducklings in T: were fed with control ration, T2 control + 0.025 per cent
probiotic and T3 control + 0.05 per cent probiotic. Similar managemental
practices were followed for all treatments.
The 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group recorded a significantly
higher body weight from second fortnight and followed a similar pattern till the
end of the experiment. The fortnightly body weight gains were significantly
higher (P<0.05) in 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group during the second
and fourth fortnights, while the cumulative body weight gain showed a
significantly higher (PThe weekly feed consumption was statistically significant (P.
was higher in 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group during third, fourth and
C<
fifth weeks. The cumulative feed consumption upto six and eight weeks also
showed similar trend. The cumulative feed conversion ratio was statistically
significant (Pper cent supplemented group upto six and eight weeks of age. The serum
cholesterol level was not affected by probiotic supplementation. The serum
protein level was significantly higher (Psupplemented group. The processing yields were not significantly influenced by
probiotics. Livability percentage between treatments was not affected by
probiotics. The total feed cost per kg body weight was lower in the 0.05 per cent
probiotic supplemented group upto six and eight weeks of age.
Thus it can be concluded that probiotic supplementation at 0.05 per cent
level was beneficial in the overall production performance of White Pekin ducks.
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PG
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Citation
172181