Dietary supplementation of Moringa leaf powder improves the productive and reproductive performance of Pekin duck

Duck production is often considered advantageous compared to other poultry species due to its lower care and management requirements. However, intensive duck farming necessitates balanced nutrition and additional feed supplements to achieve optimal profitability. In addition to high-quality proteins, vitamins, and minerals, Moringa leaves are rich in various bioactive compounds, and their dietary supplementation is proven to improve the production and reproduction performances of animals and birds. The present study was conducted to reveal the effect of Moringa leaf powder (MLP) in duck ration. The experiment was conducted with different percentages of MLP (0%, 2%, 4% and 6%) supplemented to basal ration of Pekin duck. It was observed that supplementing duck feed with 4% MLP is optimal for improving production and reproduction parameters. This supplementation boosts mature body weight and live weight gain by lowering the feed conversion ratio (FCR), increasing dressing percentage, and decreasing triglycerides and cholesterol levels in blood lipids without negatively affecting other blood parameters. Most importantly, the ducks fed with 4% MLP-supplemented diet reached sexual maturity 7-10 days earlier than other MLP-treated or control groups. Moreover, MLP supplementation enhances the fertility and hatchability of ducks. Notably, the semen volume and sperm quality parameters, including sperm total motility, progressive motility, viability and concentration with reduced sperm abnormality in drakes fed with 4% MLP compared to other MLP-treated and control groups. Therefore, it can be suggested that 4% MLP can be used in duck ration to enhance the productive and reproductive profile of ducks. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2024; 7(3.000): 507-519]