Effects of alfalfa meal on carcase quality and fat metabolism of Muscovy ducks

Abstract

1. The effects of alfalfa meal on carcase quality and fat metabolism of Muscovy duck were evaluated. The objective of this research was to establish whether alfalfa meal can reduce fat content and improve carcase quality of Muscovy duck. Animal products with a high fat content present a risk factor for many diseases. Reducing fat content in poultry products is an important goal for the poultry industry. 2. A total of 240 14-d-old white Muscovy ducks were selected and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 dietary treatments containing 0, 3, 6, and 9% of alfalfa meal for 5 weeks. Growth performances were recorded and carcase characteristics and lipid parameters were analysed. 3. Results showed that 3, 6, and 9% alfalfa meal in diet had no significant effects on growth performance of Muscovy ducks from 14 to 49 d of age. Ducks given 3, 6, and 9% alfalfa meal had significantly higher dressing percentage and lower abdominal fat percentage compared with those given no alfalfa meal. Ducks given 9% alfalfa meal had higher breast meat percentage compared with those given no alfalfa meal. The concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and free fatty acid in serum of ducks fed on alfalfa meal decreased. Alfalfa meal in the diet decreased abdominal fat percentage and improved carcase traits of Muscovy duck. 4. The study showed that dietary alfalfa meal decreased abdominal fat percentage and improved carcase traits, without an adverse effect on performance.

Fast-growing chickens fed with lucerne protein-xanthophyll concentrate: growth performance, slaughter yield and bone quality

“…In investigations performed on growing turkeys, the highest weight gain and the lowest feed intake were found at addition of 3% of LPC, and the lucerne preparation reduced the number of bird deaths in the experimental groups (Krauze and Grela, 2010). In ducks fed lucerne-supplemented diet (3, 6 and 9%), there were no differences in the body weight, average daily gains, mortality rate and feed intake compared with the control group (Jiang et al, 2012). Partial replacement of soyabean meal with lucerne in laying hen nutrition did not have adverse effects on production traits (Laudadio et al, 2014).…”

“…Intensive genetic selection resulting in higher yield performance in birds requires proper nutrient balance. LPC is a phytobiotic that can increase body and muscle weight and, simultaneously, substantially reduce the incidence of chicken disease and increase the feed conversion ratio (Jiang et al, 2012). It is characterized by a high content (over 50%) and biological value of protein; it is also a source of many minerals and vitamins, as well as flavonoids, phenolic acids, xanthophylls and carotenoids (Grela et al, 2013).…”

The effect of chopped, extruded and pelleted alfalfa silage on the egg quality of organic laying hens

“…; Jiang et al, 2012;Grela et al, 2014). However, the fibre content limits its use as a main protein source in the diets of laying hens.…”

Effect of dietary saponin rich soapnut (Sapindus mukorossi) shell powder on growth performance, immunity, serum biochemistry and gut health of broiler chickens

“…In support to the results of present study, the dietary saponin have been reported to have no significant effect on the carcass characteristics of broiler chicken (Zhang et al, ). Similarly, the decreased abdominal fat percentage due to supplementation of dietary saponins was reported in broiler chicken (Miah et al, and Afrose et al, ) and Muscovy duck (Jiang et al, ). However, in contrast to our results Zhang et al () did not found any significant difference in the abdominal fat of chicken due to supplementation of dietary mango saponins for 21 or 42 days.…”

“…The present study revealed no significant effects of feeding saponin rich SSP on the intestinal histomorphometry of broiler chicken. However, in contrast to these results greater villus height of jejunum and ileum was observed in layer chicken fed dietary Yucca schidigera extract (Gurbuz et al, ) and increase in villus height and crypt depth of duodenum and jejunum of Muscovy ducks was observed by feeding saponin rich alfalfa meal (Jiang et al, ). The variation in the results of saponin effects on intestinal mucosa in different studies may be due to the interaction of ingested saponins with many potential ligands in the intestine such as bile salts, dietary cholesterol, membrane sterols of the mucosal cells and nutrients or antinutrients present in feed, all of which may reduce or enhance their effectiveness.…”