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The swamp buffalo is a valuable genetic resource and an important source of animal protein in Indonesia. Unfortunately, their population is decreasing due to problems attributed to conventional farming systems. The objective of the study was to examine the sustainability of swamp buffalo farming and identify the attributes that influence its sustainability. Data were collected through a focus group discussion involving experts and business actors in swamp buffalo farming and a survey on buffalo farmers. The study examined 52 attributes within 6 dimensions: ecological, economic, social, technological, institutional, and welfare dimensions. The data were analysed using multidimensional scaling through the Rapid Appraisal for Swamp Buffalo technique. The results of the study demonstrate that swamp buffalo farming in Hulu Sungai Utara (HSU), Hulu Sungai Selatan (HSS), and Hulu Sungai Tengah (HST) districts in South Kalimantan province has sustainability indices of 51.70, 53.13, and 48.87%, respectively. This study identified 12 leverage attributes that are very influential to the sustainability of swamp buffalo farming, i.e., climatic conditions, land suitability, marketing, income from swamp buffalo farming, mutual assistance, education level, processing technology, reproduction technology, the role of local government, capital institutions, programs from central government, and farmers’ welfare. Swamp buffalo farming in HSU and HSS is moderately sustainable, while in HST, it is less sustainable, suggesting improvement in the key factors influencing the sustainability of swamp buffalo farming. This study offers valuable insights for the government in formulating policies and programs for developing swamp buffalo farming and conserving swamp buffalo germplasm.

A study has been carried out to determine the correct dosage for using a combination of saponin and vaccine in an in ovo formula on hatchability and early growth performance. There were four levels of saponin use (0.0; 1.5; 3.0; 4.5 microgram) arranged using a factorial design with two factors, namely saponin level as the first factor, while whether or not vaccine was used as the second factor, so there were eight formula combinations. Each formula combination was dissolved in phosphate buffered saline, then injected into the amnion of fertile eggs of Sentul chickens during incubation for 18 days (0.5 ml/egg) using an automatic injector machine with a 20G needle. The results showed that increasing saponin levels combined with vaccines as an ingredient in the in ovo feeding formula results in decreased hatchability. A very significant decrease occurred at the 4.5 µg level. The average hatchability of vaccine treatment was significantly better than those treated without vaccine. There is no interaction effect of the two materials on hatchability. However, the interaction effect was seen in all parameters of early growth performance of Sentul chicken during the 4 weeks of observation. The vaccine treatment will be more effective if it is used separately or not mixed with saponin (0.0 µg), while the use of saponin without vaccine will produce the best weight gain and feed efficiency when used at the highest dose level (4.5 µg).

One of the many farm enterprises in urban and rural locations is raising ducks. Duck farming provides both a source of income and a source of animal protein in the form of meat and eggs. This study aims to evaluate the performance and analysis of the laying duck business in the Pahlawan Setia Village, Tarumajaya District, Bekasi Regency, West Java Province. The study was conducted in the Harapan Mulya II Farmer Group. Surveys and in-depth interviews were used in the investigation. It was found that there are two main types of farmers in the duck industry: large-scale farmers with flocks of 1,000–2,000 ducks and small-scale farmers with herds of 25–100 birds/household flocks. The feed ingredients are primarily rejected bread and shrimp processing wastes (SPW); the average production rate is between 40 and 55 per cent. One of the feed formulations used is 42.86% SPW and 57.14% rejected bread; the feed price was IDR 1,800/kg. It was found that the R/C value for the small-scale farmers was 1.42 and 1.31 for the large-scale. It can be concluded that the laying duck business in the Bekasi Regency region is fruitful and worthwhile.

Ducks are one poultry livestock that has a role as a food source for animal origin protein in meat and eggs. Indramayu Regency is one of the regions with the highest duck population in West Java Province. This study aimed to identify internal and external factors for a duck business development strategy in this area. It was conducted in Tugu Village, Sliyeg District, in 2021. This research was carried out by performing Rural Rapid Appraisal (RRA) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and filling out questionnaires. The implementation of RRA is carried out to identify the potential, opportunities, and problems faced in conducting duck livestock business. A SWOT analysis was used in this study by considering Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It revealed that the duck farming business in Indramayu is a profitable business and plays an important role to support farmers’ economic activities. For duck farming businesses in this region to develop correctly, there needs to be policy support for aggressive business improvement (growth-oriented strategy). Based on the SWOT analysis results, several general policy recommendations and technical policies were obtained as strategies for developing the duck farming business in the Indramayu regency.

Background and Aim: Zinc (Zn) is important for various physiological processes in broiler chickens, including protein and carbohydrate metabolism, growth, and reproduction. The gastrointestinal absorption of Zn in broiler chickens was notably low. One approach that has been explored for enhancing the bioavailability of Zn is the development of Zn nanoparticles (NPs). Zn is required for various physiological processes in broiler chickens, including protein and carbohydrate metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of conventional Zn and Zn NPs on broiler chickens using a meta-analysis methodology. Materials and Methods: A database was built from published literature to evaluate the effects of the addition of Zn NPs and conventional Zn on broiler chicken responses, including the following parameters: production performance; carcass cuts; visceral organ weight; lymphoid organ weight; nutrient digestibility; intestinal villi; mineral Zn, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations; hematology; blood parameters; immunoglobulin; and intestinal bacterial population. Various scientific platforms, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed Central, and Google Scholar, were used to search for peer-reviewed articles. A database was created from 25 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The data were then processed for a meta-analysis using a mixed-model methodology. Different types of Zn (NPs versus conventional) were considered fixed effects, different studies were treated as random effects, and p-values were used as model statistics. Results: Across the parameters observed in this study, the use of Zn NPs was more efficient in Zn utilization than conventional Zn, as evidenced by the average dose of Zn NPs being much lower than that of conventional Zn (79.44 vs. 242.76 mg/kg) yet providing similar (p > 0.05) or even significantly better effects (p < 0.05) compared to conventional Zn usage. Conclusion: This investigation revealed the beneficial influence of Zn NPs in broiler chickens compared to the conventional utilization of Zn through an all-encompassing meta-analysis. Moreover, Zn NPs have proven to be more effective in Zn utilization when juxtaposed with conventional Zn, as demonstrated by the significantly lower quantity of Zn NPs administered compared to conventional Zn, while yielding comparable or even superior outcomes compared to the traditional utilization of Zn. A limitation of this study is that the Zn NPs used were sourced from inorganic Zn NPs. Therefore, future research should focus on evaluating the efficiency of organic Zn NPs in broiler chicken feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]