Effect of Adding Different Levels of Duckweed (Lemna minor Linn.) in the Diet on Live Body Weight, Hematological Traits and Production Cost of Free-range Chickens, Gallus domesticus Linn. (Black Austrolorp x Barred Playmouth Rock)

Abstract

The present study was conducted at Bataan Peninsula State University Abucay Campus to evaluate the growth performance and hematological profile of Gallus domesticus Linn. (Black Austrolorp x Barred Playmouth Rock) chicken fed formulated diets of varying inclusions of lesser duckweed (Lemna minor Linn.). Three formulated treatments diets of homogenous crude protein level were prepared: 0% duckweed (control), 10% duckweed, and 15% duckweed inclusion. Five chickens (average weight 202.5 g) per replicate were reared in a single factorial experiment and the feeding trial was carried-out for three months. Chicken fed diet containing 15% duckweed meal treatment had significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight (1,425.88 ± 55.24 g) compared to chicken fed normal diet (1,223.48 ± 174.47 g). Mean cost to produce a kilogram of meat was significantly cheaper in the treated diets (F = 4.82; P < 0.05). Mean values of hematological variables were not significantly different among treatments.

Feeding Value of Fermented Duckweed Meal (Lemna minor Linn.) as a Plant Protein Components in the Formulated Diets of Free- Range Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linn.)

“…In fact, no manifestation of morbidity and mortality were recorded during the feeding period. The results are in accordance with the previous studies that no significant difference was found on blood analyses of birds fed with the treated diets [17]. The hematological parameters were lower than the normal numeric values in each blood test.…”