Effects of Essential Amino Acid Supplementation and Ration Type on Feed Efficiency and Performance of Alabio Ducks Aged 9–20 Weeks

Research Center for Animal Husbandry, Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency of The Republic of Indonesia (BRIN), Cibinong Sciences Center, Cibinong, Bogor, Indonesia

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Abstract

Determining the nutritional requirements of rations, particularly essential amino acids (EAAs), and selecting the appropriate feed form remain important in duck farming. This study evaluated the effects of different EAA levels and feed forms on feed efficiency and performance of Alabio ducks. A total of 360 female ducks aged 9 to 20 weeks were randomly allocated into 36 pens (3×2 m²) and assigned to six treatments with six replications (10 ducks per replicate) in a completely randomized 3×2 factorial design. The first factor was EAA levels (0, 10, and 20%), and the second factor was feed form (mash and pellet). Observed variables included feed consumption (FC), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and live body weight (LBW). EAAs supplementation at different levels significantly affected (P<0.05) duck performance. Although FC, BWG, and LBW were not significantly different (P>0.05) among treatments, FCR was significantly improved (P<0.05) by EAAs addition. The best performance was observed in ducks receiving 10% EAAs with pelleted feed (T5). It is concluded that supplementing 10% EAAs in pelleted rations from 9 to 20 weeks of age improved feed efficiency and overall performance of Alabio ducks.