Nora C. Cabaral | Prime Gilbert T Rieta
Commercial feeds played a vital role in poultry feeding and nutrition, but its rapid increasing price limits the industry growth. Thus alternative feedstuff as protein source like Azolla (25-35%CP) is taken into consideration. The study aims to determine how feeding Azolla affects the growth, blood cortisol and lipid profile, meat quality, and economics of raising Pekin duck under extensive and intensive production. Data were analyzed using ANOVA following 2x4 factorial CRD, and significant differences between treatments were analyzed using Scheffe’s Test and Friedman’s Test for organoleptic evaluation. Findings revealed that ducks raised under extensive production significantly improved their FBW and FCR; lowered blood cortisol, enhanced meat color but were tougher than ducks raised intensively; and has significantly (p<0.05) higher income per head and ROI. Feeding Azolla significantly (p<0.05) improved the FBW and FCR; enhanced beak, shank and meat color, juiciness, flavor and general acceptability; lowered the cortisol, LDL and triglycerides but increased the HDL; and increased the income per head and ROI. The interaction of the extensive production and feeding 55-75% Azolla significantly (p<0.05) improved the FBW, FCR, blood cortisol level, and LDL content. Results suggest that feeding 55-75% Azolla under extensive production were potential CP alternative for Pekin duck raisers to reduce feed cost and consequently maximized profit.
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