NAMA : Jeihan Arina

NIM : 23010122140249

KELAS : Peternakan E

ASISTEN : Hafidz

Effect of feed consumption levels on growth performance and carcass

composition during the force-feeding period in foie gras production of male
Mule ducks

It emphasizes the importance of finding the optimal amount of feed supply to maximize
growth performance and liver yield, while minimizing waste and production costs. The study
compares the response of Pekin ducks and Mule ducks to overfeeding, finding that Mule ducks
demonstrate higher foie gras production. However, the ideal feed consumption level during force-
feeding is not yet clear. The paper highlights the negative effects of excessive feed consumption,
such as reduced nutrient utilization and increased production costs. It stresses the need for
quantifying feed consumption during force-feeding to improve economic benefits and minimize
waste.

The study involved male Mule ducklings fed a commercial starter diet from hatching to
21 days of age, then a grower diet from 22 to 91 days of age, and finally a corn diet from 91 to 102
days of age, administered by force-feeding. The corn diet contained 83 g/kg CP and 3.3 g/kg crude
fat with a calculated ME value of 13.47 MJ/kg. In the study, the researchers conducted a 12-day
force-feeding period for ducks and calculated the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR)
for each pen of ducks. After a 12-hour feed deprivation period, all ducks were euthanized and bled.
The birds were then processed, including immersion in hot water, scalding, picking, and manual
evisceration.

The study applied regression model analysis to estimate the optimum feed consumption
level, concluding it to be 884 g/day for Mule ducks. Liver weight increased significantly up to 810
g/day of feed consumption, while the foie gras weight showed no further increase at 900 g/day.
Optimum consumption levels for feed and energy intake were estimated to be 217, 227, and 216 g
feed/kg BW 0.75 • per day for maximum body weight gain, total liver weight, and liver relative
weight, respectively. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in breast and leg meat
yield between treatments, while subcutaneous and abdominal fat yield increased with higher feed
consumption levels.

Overall, the study provides insights into the optimum feed consumption levels for
maximizing growth performance and foie gras production in Mule ducks.respectively. These
findings provide valuable insights into optimizing feed consumption levels during force-feeding for
male Mule ducks, thereby contributing to more efficient foie gras production. Additionally, the
study highlights the importance of quantifying feed consumption to maximize production while
minimizing waste and production costs in foie gras production with Mule ducks.
Wen, Z. G., Jiang, Y., Tang, J., Xie, M., Yang, P. L and Hou, S. S. 2016. Effect of feed
consumption levels on growth performance and carcass composition during the force-feeding
period in foie gras production of male Mule ducks. Animal. 10(9) : 1417-142.