Effect of Diets Formulated with Different Apparent Metabolizable Energy Values of Basal Feedstuffs on the Growth and Shank and Keel Lengths of ItikPINAS-Itim (Anas platyrhynchos)

Abstract

The study examined how diets formulated based on the actual (AV), intermediate (IV), and published (PV) apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values of basal feeds (BF), such as corn (local), rice bran (D1), and soybean meal (US), affect the performance of ItikPINAS-Itim (IP-Itim) (Anas platyrhynchos). The AME values for corn, rice bran, and soybean meal were 3690, 3498, and 3100 kcal/kg for AV; 3495, 2949, and 2803 kcal/kg for IV; and 3300, 2400, and 2500 kcal/kg for PV. A total of 190-day-old female IP-Itim ducks were randomly divided into three dietary treatments, with six replicates per group, and raised intensively for 12 weeks. Researchers measured growth performance, feed-related economics, and shank and keel length (SKL). Data analysis involved one-way ANOVA using STAR (v. 2.0.1) and repeated measures (RM) ANOVA. The ducks' growth performance, livability, and uniformity showed no significant differences across diet groups. RM analysis also revealed no interaction effect between diet and week on the weekly measured parameters. Ducks fed AV and IV diets had significantly higher total feed intake (p < 0.05) and feed conversion ratios (p < 0.01). However, these groups showed significantly lower total feed costs (p < 0.01) and feed cost per kilogram of gain (p < 0.01). Finally, SKL measurements were statistically similar among all groups. The findings suggest that AV and IV AME values for BF can be used in formulating cost-effective diets for IP-Itim without affecting growth performance.