Effect of Organic Acid Supplementation on the Quality of Feed and Performance of Laying Ducks

Khaki Campbell female ducks of 20 week age 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 12 birds each. The study was carried out for 16 wks. The observations on pH, B-value, total coliforms, E. coli, C. perfringens, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. fumigatus and aflatoxins B1 levels were reduced (P<0.01) in the organic acids supplemented feeds. However, BMD had no effects on feed quality. There was difference (P<0.01) in body weight gain among all treatments during different laying periods. Egg production, egg weight, feed intake (kg)/dozen of egg and feed intake (kg)/kg egg mass were higher (P<0.01) for FP group followed by propionate, FPL, BMD, formate and control groups. There was no significant difference in shape index, Haugh unit and egg shell thickness. Albumen weight, yolk weight and shell weight were remained higher (P<0.05) for FP group followed by propionate, FPL, BMD, formate and control groups. Overall best performance of laying ducks was observed with the supplementation of formate-propionate combination (FP) diet.