Effect of supplementing azolla and empty pea pod on growth performance, blood biochemical metabolites and meat quality in White Pekin ducks

Strategic dietary inclusion of low cost plant derived protein source in duck feed is critical for sustainability of the duck farm. Empty pea pod and azolla are two promising protein sources used as animal feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing dried and grounded azolla (AP) and empty pea pods (PP) on growth, blood biochemical metabolites and meat quality in white pekin ducks. A total of 90 white pekin ducklings were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (Control, T1 and T2) comprising of three replicated pens. Inside each replicate pen, a total of 10 ducklings were housed under standard management practices. AP and PP was supplemented as top up feed @ 5% of basal diet to experimental birds under T1 and T2 groups, respectively from day 0 to 56. At the end of the trial (56 day), 3 birds from each pen were sampled for serum and breast muscle. Results reveled that AP and PP has significant influence on body growth. The effect on growth was in the order of: T2>T1>Control. It was also observed that PP had hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect on ducks. However, AP and PP supplementation did not affect carcass traits, pH, cooking loss and Lipid Peroxidase Activity (TBA value) in duck meat.Thus, it could be concluded that supplementation of dried pea pods (PP) might be of great benefit to white pekin ducks as a source of cheap and unconventional protein.