GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF MALLARD DUCKS AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MMK LEAF MEAL SUPPLEMENTATION
Keywords:
Feed Conversion Efficiency, Mallard Duck, MMK Leaf Meal, SupplementationAbstract
This study evaluated the growth performance of Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) fed commercial diets supplemented with varying levels of MMK leaf meal composed of Madre de Agua (Trichanthera gigantea), Moringa (Moringa oleifera), and Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica). The research was conducted to determine the potential of MMK as an alternative, locally available feed supplement to reduce dependence on commercial feeds. A total of 180 ducklings were used in a Completely Randomized Design with six dietary treatments: 100% commercial feed, commercial feed supplemented with 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% MMK, and 100% MMK, each replicated three times over a 90-day feeding trial. Growth parameters including final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality rate, and selected organ weights were measured and analyzed using analysis of variance. Results indicated that ducks fed purely commercial feed attained significantly higher final weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency compared with MMK-supplemented groups. Increasing MMK inclusion resulted in reduced growth performance, with the lowest values observed in ducks fed MMK alone. However, no significant differences were observed in internal organ weights, indicating no adverse physiological effects of MMK supplementation. The study concluded that while MMK leaf meal is safe for duck feeding and offers potential as a low-cost feed supplement, its inclusion should be limited and further optimized to improve growth efficiency and practical application in Mallard duck production.
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