The effect of zeolite on the metabolism and reproduction of ducks
The effect of zeolite on the metabolism and reproduction of ducks appears to be entirely positive, according to a new study. The research was carried out by three scientists from Russia, in collaboration with the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Processing Industry in the Orenburg region, in the Republic of Bashkortostan.
The aim of the study was to examine the digestibility of the feed as well as the reproductive capabilities of ducks fed a mixed diet enriched with zeolite. The safety of adding zeolite to the feed was also investigated.
The experiment
The experiment was conducted on two groups comprising 160 female and 40 male ducks, aged 150 days. The birds in both groups were kept under similar conditions of care and management. The birds in the control (witness) group were fed the standard diet, consisting of a complete mixed feed. In the experimental (second) group, zeolite was added at a dosage of 3.5 per cent of the total feed weight. The zeolite used was clinoptilolite with a minimum content of 84 per cent.
The results
It appears that the addition of zeolite to the feed had a positive impact on the assimilation of nutrients and an increase in the ducks’ reproductive performance. Analysis of the findings showed that the protein digestibility index for the second group of females and males, at 260 days of age, was higher than that of the control group by 0.9 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively. With regard to the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium, the males and females in the experimental group outperformed birds of the same age in the control group by 0.5 and 1.1 per cent, 1.0 and 1.2 per cent, and 1.6 and 1.3 per cent respectively.
The live weight of birds in the experimental group was 87 g (0.5 per cent) and 143 g (2.5 per cent) higher, respectively. During the laying period, the ducks in the experimental group produced 1,822 more eggs of higher quality. The hatch rate in the experimental group was 6.3 per cent higher than in the control group.
The final conclusion
According to this new study, it is therefore recommended that zeolite be added to the compound feed for ducks. It appears that the effect of zeolite on the metabolism and reproduction of ducks is entirely positive. This addition improves the birds’ digestibility indices and enhances their reproductive capacity. It also significantly increases the egg hatch rate.
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