Effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) supplementation in the diet on the growth, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility of hybrid ducks

Abstract

Background and Aim: Feed plays the most important role in supporting livestock productivity. There is a need for studies on the nutrient levels in feed absorbed by the body of livestock. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) supplementation in feed on growth, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility in hybrid ducks. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in vivo using 75 hybrid ducks, with three treatments and five replications. Each replication consisted of five ducks. The treatments were: T0=basal ration without any alfalfa supplementation; T1=basal ration+3% fresh alfalfa supplementation; and T2=basal ration+6% fresh alfalfa supplementation. Fresh alfalfa was quantified on the basis of dry matter content. Drinking water was provided ad libitum. The observed variables were growth performance, measured in terms of feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio; duodenum histomorphology, measured in terms of villus height, villus width, and crypt depth; digestibility, measured in terms of dry matter digestibility; and organic matter, crude protein, and crude fiber concentrations. The data were analyzed using variance analysis with a completely randomized design of one-way pattern with Statistical Product for Service Solution application of version 22. The data with significant differences were further analyzed using Duncan's new multiple range rest. Results: The results of the study showed that 3% alfalfa supplementation increased feed consumption and body weight gain of the hybrid ducks at 35 days of age compared with 0% and 6% supplementation. Furthermore, 3% alfalfa supplementation presented the best result in terms of villus height and duodenal crypt depth. Meanwhile, 6% alfalfa supplementation decreased nutrient digestibility in the ducks. Conclusion: These findings show that supplementation of feed with fresh alfalfa could have a significant effect on hybrid ducks in terms of growth performance, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility.

Effect of probiotic and Moringa oleifera extract on performance, carcass yield, and mortality of Peking duck

“…The results are in line with other studies that proved that the use of probiotics Lactobacillus and M. oleifera in broilers could positively affect growth performance [18]. The body weight gain of ducks is influenced by feed intake, and the increase in feed intake would undoubtedly be followed by body weight gain if there are no physiological disorders in the digestive tract of the ducks [35].…”

The profile of tropical alfalfa in Indonesia: A review

“…Additionally, alfalfa contains large quantities of dietary fiber, which could help to lower cholesterol levels. The use of tropical alfalfa (Kacang Ratu BW) in ducks (35 days) from 3% up to a level of 10 % did not affect the production performance of ducks, but reduced FCR ( Suwignyo et al, 2020a , Suwignyo et al, 2020b , Suwignyo et al, 2020c , Suwignyo et al, 2020d , Suwignyo et al, 2021c , Suwignyo et al, 2021d ) reduced cholesterol from 66.5 to 34.8 mg/100 g ( Samur et al, 2020 ) from 177.7 to 116.2 mg/100g (in the liver), 162.9 to 134 mg/100 (in the blood) and reduced LDL from 83.70 to 68.0 mg/dL but increased HDL from 54.6 to 71.96 mg/dL ( Suwignyo et al, 2022 ). The use of 2 % tropical alfalfa in laying hens (hyline 50 weeks old) produced eggs with higher levels of Fe, Zn, beta carotene, vitamin A and antioxidants than controls, respectively 5.6 vs 4.9 mg/100 g, 3.4 vs 1 mg/100 g, 1818.1 vs 1512.7 µg/100 g, 4934.9 vs 4382.9 µg/100 g, 4.9 vs 15.8 %, making it good for nutritional intervention for stunting eradication programs, that are still high in several developing countries, including Indonesia ( Suwignyo and Indartono, 2022 ).…”

“…Research on alfalfa has been conducted for agriculture, animal husbandry, healthcare, and food industries. In the fields of agriculture and animal husbandry, research has been conducted using various developmental models at the laboratory scale ( Suwignyo et al, 2017 , Suwignyo et al, 2020a , Suwignyo et al, 2020b , Suwignyo et al, 2020c , Suwignyo et al, 2020d , Suwignyo et al, 2021a , Suwignyo et al, 2021b , Suwignyo et al, 2021c , Suwignyo et al, 2022 , Suwignyo and Sasongko, 2019 ). In animal husbandry, alfalfa is used as highly nutritious forage for both ruminant and non-ruminant animals to increase livestock production and improve the nutrient content of the meat, eggs, and milk produced.…”

“…The research on tropical alfalfa by Bambang Suwignyo has progressed significantly since 2010 (e.g., Suwignyo et al, 2020a , Suwignyo et al, 2020b , Suwignyo et al, 2020c , Suwignyo et al, 2020d , Suwignyo et al, 2021a , Suwignyo et al, 2021b , Suwignyo et al, 2021c , Suwignyo et al, 2021d , Suwignyo et al, 2022 , Suwignyo and Sasongko, 2019 , Suwignyo et al, 2017 ). Some alfalfa varieties/species have been used as study materials for cross-breeding studies using specific treatments such asthe use of dolomit fertilizer, and by varying the duration and wavelength of lightduring cultivation.…”

Effect of Cichorium intybus on production performance, carcass quality and blood lipid profile of hybrid duck

“…Performance of ducks was measured throughout the study including feed intake, BWG, and feed conversion ration (FCR). Feed intake was calculated by subtracting the amount of feed given from the leftover feed each day (g/head) [5].…”