Duck breeding performances using a natural feed additive.

In the present study effects of IMUNOVET HBM, a prebiotics based on wheat germ, was observed in laying ducks production. Effect of this natural feed additive on performance, immune response and health protection in other species (cattle, swine, chicken) have been reported by several authors. Peking type duck (breed Szarvasi K94) was used in the study from the 2nd week to the end of the laying period. Vaccination against avian pasteurellosis, hepatitis and Newcastle disease was done preliminary the experiment. Control birds (n=392) were fed with commercial layer diet and experimental group (n=397) was fed with commercial layer diet supplemented with 1 kg/t IMMUNOVET HBM. Data of mortality, average feed consumption, average number of laid eggs, feed conversion ratio, fertility rate of eggs, hatchability, number of day-old ducks per layer were recorded. Laying performance of the control group was lower than that of the experimental one from the 8th week of the laying period. Average numbers of laid eggs were 119.1 and 108.5 eggs/layer in the experimental and the control group, respectively. This means 9.8 per cent difference, which is statistically significant (P<0,1%). Feed consumption of the two groups was similar, thus the layers in the experimental group took 10% (0.36 kg vs. 0.40 kg of the control one) lower amount feed/egg. Egg fertility rate was 91.8% in the experimental group, while it was 91.6%in the control. Whereas, hatchability was almost the same in the two groups (79.7% in the control and 80.5% in the experimental group). Considering the laying and hatchability performance data, 86.5 dayold ducks were produced by one layer in the control group, while this parameter was 10.75% higher for the experimental group, according to the 95.9 day-old ducks per layer. Price of the experimental diet was 7.2% higher than that of the control diet due to the additive. Thanks to the higher egg and even though the treated diet was more expensive than the control one. According to the recorded performance parameters it can be declared that the long term use of IMMUNOVET HBM in the diet of ducks having high metabolic rate results in improved performance.