Use of Autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria as Probiotic Additives for Muscovy Ducks in Housing

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the effects of autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as probiotic additives for Muscovy ducks on performance, carcass traits, and serum biochemical parameters. LAB were isolated from the intestinal content of 12 Muscovy ducks, and three promising strains were identified: Enterococcus lactis, Enterococcus ratti, and Enterococcus faecium. Ninety-six male Muscovy ducks with eight days of age (weight = 158.56±2.17) were distributed in a completely randomized design, where the treatments comprised a control group and three experimental groups subjected to autochthonous LAB as a probiotic (E. lactis, E. ratti, and E. faecium) administered orally to the Muscovy ducks, with three replicates of eight birds each. Birds were monitored over 90 days, divided into starter, grower, and finisher stages. Blood was collected at 91 days of age for analysis, and at 91 days birds were slaughtered to evaluate carcass traits. Results indicated no significant effect (p>0.05) in feed intake and weight gain during the starter stage, though feed conversion ratio worsened (p<0.05) with probiotics. In the grower stage, E. lactis improved (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio. In the finisher stage and overall performance, the control group presented better (p<0.05) results. Carcass analysis showed E. faecium increased carcass and breast yield, but all probiotic groups had lower (p<0.05) slaughter weight results. Serum biochemical analysis revealed E. faecium influenced triglycerides, glucose, cholesterol, and albumin levels, suggesting metabolic changes. In conclusion, autochthonous LAB had varied effects on Muscovy duck performance and physiology, indicating that probiotic efficacy depends on the developmental stage and specific strains used.

Keywords

• Additive
• Cairina moschata
• feed conversion ratio
• lactic acid bacteria
• probiotic