Feasibility of Duckweed (Lemnoideae) as Broiler Feeds

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Here in the Philippines, poultry is one of trends in agriculture. Poultry owners always take the risks of raising chicks and make it as a business or sources of income. However, poultry farming is not that easy, according to the poultry owners whom we know. The reason why is because chicken requires lots of nutrients such as protein, vitamins A and D, grit, calcium, and many more. They also have to be kept in warm temperatures, a proper cage space, and fed properly every day. Meanwhile, there is tiny, slimy and green aquatic plant that contains most of the requirements needed by chickens. This aquatic plant is free and can be easily propagated for those who want to propagate it. Considering all of the problems that poultry owners encounter, we, as researchers, want to help in lessening the burdens being carried by them through testing the feasibility of duckweeds as broiler feeds.

METHODS

This study used experimental method. By using the ad libitum method, the different treatments were fed to the broilers with proper dosage every day. The following treatments were: T0-Commercial feeds, T1-70% duckweed and 30% darak, T2-60% duckweed and 40% darak, and T3-30% duckweed and 70% darak. After applying the different treatments daily, the researchers recorded the mass of the broilers weekly. With data collected through Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of use of the duckweed at broilers that were placed at the cage with different labelled-treatments to identify.

RESULTS

The different ratios of duckweeds as broiler feeds have an effect to the broilers in terms of mass and survival rate. However, there is no significant difference on the effect of the different ratio of duckweeds as broiler feeds compared to commercial feeds.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the gathered data, there is no significant difference obtained on the mass gain of the broilers in the different treatments. This implies that the null hypothesis stating that there is no effect of duckweeds on broiler feeds in terms of mass gain is accepted.