Effect of Dietary Organic Acids on Feed Quality, Performance, Gut Milieu and Blood Profile of Starter Khaki Campbell Ducks

Day old birds were randomly assigned to six isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments, viz., control, bacitracin methyl disalicylate (BMD) (0.5 g/kg), formic acid (0.3%), propionic acid (0.3%), formic and propionic acid (FP) (0.15% each), and formic, propionic and lactic acid (FPL) (0.1% each). Each group comprised 3 replicates of 15 birds each. pH, B-value, total coliforms, Escherechia coli, Clostridium perfringens, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and aflatoxins B1 levels were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in the organic acids supplemented feeds, however, BMD had no significant effects on feed quality. The body weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly (P<0.01) higher for FP followed by propionate, FPL, BMD, formate and control groups. Feed intake was not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. pH of digesta was also not significantly changed by dietary treatments. Concentrations of total coliforms, Escherechia coli and Clostridium perfringens in the small intestine were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in organic acid and BMD supplemented groups. The villus height was significantly (P<0.05) higher in FP group followed by propionate, FPL, BMD, formate and control groups. Blood calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese and total protein levels were also significantly (P<0.05) increased in FP group followed by propionate, FPL, BMD, formate and control groups.