With the ban on the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, it is required to produce alternative substances to maintain poultry health and performance. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation at various levels of bamboo vinegar (BV) on performance, egg quality, and fecal bacterial population of laying ducks. One hundred and five 50-week-old crossbred laying ducks (Khaki Campbell × Native) were randomly allocated into five treatment groups, each with seven replicates of three ducks. The experimental ducks were fed a basal diet (antibiotic-free diet) supplemented with BV at the levels of 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, or 0.8% of diet until 62 weeks of age. For the overall period (from 50 to 62 weeks of age), the dietary supplementation of BV at the levels of 0.4% and 0.6% of diet increased egg production and egg mass, and improved feed efficiency of laying ducks (p<0.01). Supplementation of BV at the level of 0.8% in the diet decreased feed intake (p<0.01). Egg quality parameters were not significantly affected by supplementation of BV (p>0.05). The population of fecal Escherichia coli was significantly decreased in the experimental ducks fed diet supplemented with BV at the levels of 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8% compared to the control group (p<0.01), while the population of Lactobacillus spp. remained unchanged. The present results indicate that a level of 0.4% BV supplementation in laying duck diet is sufficient for reducing fecal E. coli and improves productive performance of egg laying ducks.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.