FEEDING SYSTEM AND FLOOR SPACE ON THE GROWTH, EGG PRODUCTION, AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCES OF ITIK PINAS KAYUMANGGI (Anas platyrynchos L.) UNDER SEMI-CONFINEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

The study determined effects of feeding system (ad libitum or restricted) and floor space during the growing (12-19 weeks of age; 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5 ft2) and laying periods (20-38 weeks of age; 3.0, 3.5 or 4.0 ft2) on Itik Pinas Kayumanggi (IPK) ducks under a semi-confinement system. A total of 480 IPK ducks were assigned to the treatment combination of type of feeding system and floor space laid out in a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment combination had 5 and 10 replications for the growing and laying periods, respectively. The feed consumption of the growing ducks fed ad libitum was higher (P<0.01) than those restricted fed. Increased floor space allotment tended (P<0.09) to increase their feed intake. A higher (P<0.01) egg production, feed intake, egg weight and egg mass were observed in ad libitum than in restricted feeding, irrespective of floor space; feed conversion ratio was increased concomitant to higher feed intake of the ducks. The quality, fertility and hatchability of eggs were not affected by any of the factors nor their interactions. The findings indicated that the feeding system and floor space were sensitive factors for the production performance of IPK ducks under the semi-confinement system, especially during the laying period.