This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of prebiotic on
behavioural patterns performance and some blood parameters of ducks. A total of forty-eight 15
days-aged ducks (Mule) were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments containing 0 (Control),
1.5 g/ kg and 3.0 g/kg prebiotic, respectively. The results indicated that using prebiotic as a feed
additive at a dose of 1.5 g/kg effect on duck movement activities as it increased walking and
standing activities, while it reduced the resting behavioural activities. Further, regarding the
ingestive behaviour, both 1.5 and 3.0 g/kg prebiotic addition increased the feeding activities, while,
only adding 3.0 g/kg prebiotic increased the drinking activities in comparison to the control.
Moreover, the result indicated that prebiotic did not affect preening activities. Moreover, the
inclusion of prebiotic at 1.5 or 3.0 g/kg caused numerical improvement in all measured
performance parameters (i.e. body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio,
caloric conversion ratio, and performance index). The 3.0 g/kg level of prebiotic induced
significant decreased in serum cholesterol and both 1.5 and 3.0 g/kg prebiotic increased the HI titer
of Avian influenza vaccine. In conclusion, prebiotic supplementations up to 0.30 g/kg diet show a
non-significant positive effect on duck growth performance. However, the behavioural and
haematological responses of duck to prebiotic supplementation are needed to be carefully
considered.
Research Abstract
Research Department
Research Journal
SVU- International Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 3 (1): 27-38, 2020
Research Member
Research Publisher
Usama T. Mahmoud , Rasha I.M. Hassan , Omar Amen, Ghada S.E. Abdel-Raheem, Diya Al-Rammamneh
Research Rank
2
Research Vol
SVU- International Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 3 (1): 27-38, 2020
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2020
Research Pages
12