Analysis of the Alabio Ducks Rearing Business with Herbal Medicine Supplementation in Lebak Swamplands of South Kalimantan

Abstract

Ducks are one of the sources of income for farmers in the Lebak swamp area, South Kalimantan. Duck rearing is one of the prospective ducks farming activities. The study aims to determine the analysis of Alabio ducks rearing business with herbal medicine supplementation. Due to the high prevalence of disease attacks, herbal medicine supplementation was given to ducks to boost their immune systems. The research was carried out in Sungai Durait Hulu village, Babirik subdistrict, Hulu Sungai Utara (HSU) Regency in April-December 2019. A total of 700 female Alabio ducks were used as samples with a mixed rearing system (intensive system for ducks aged 1-30 days; semi-intensive for ducks aged 1-5 months), and a 5-month of observation period. The parameters observed were production parameters, mainly duck mortality and/or loss, and economic parameters to determine business feasibility. The herbal medicine supplementation significantly affected immune systems, as shown by a lower mortality rate (30%) for ducks with herbal medicine supplementation compared to ducks without herbal medicine supplementation (50%). Duck rearing in this area was feasible and profitable which shown by R/C values were greater than one for both groups of ducks, namely 1.84 and 2.28 for ducks without and with herbal medicine supplementation, respectively.