This study aims to examine the effect of adding levels of Andrographis paniculata leaf meal (ALM) on intestinal bacteria, intestinal growth, blood lipid profile, and performance of Tegal ducks kept in different cage densities. A total of 140 7-day-old male Tegal ducks with an average body weight of 130.83 ± 7.54 g/head were placed in 20 experimental units in stilt cages following a completely randomized design procedure, 5 treatments, and 4 replications. The research ration was prepared with an EM content of 2900 kcal/kg and 18% crude protein. The treatments tested included T0: density of 5 ducks/m2 + basal ration, T1: density of 5 ducks/m2 + 0.25% ALM, T2: density of 5 ducks/m2 + 0.5% ALM, T3: density of 10 ducks/m2 + 0.25% ALM, T4: density of 10 ducks/m2 + 0.5% ALM. The parameters measured include intestinal bacterial populations (LAB and coliform), digestive organs, blood lipid profile (cholesterol levels, low density lipoprotein/LDL, high density lipoprotein/HDL and triglycerides) and duck performance. Data were processed with the SPSS version 22 using analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple area test at a significance level of 5%. The results showed that the addition of ALM to Tegal duck feed had a significant effect (p<0.05) on coliform, blood cholesterol and LDL levels, and duck body weight. Treatment had no significant effect on relative intestinal weight, HDL and blood triglycerides, and feed consumption. This study concluded that a dietary strategy providing A. paniculata decreases gut coliform and improves the performance of Tegal ducks reared in different cage densities.
Keywords | Andrographis paniculata, Duck, Gut microflora, Profil lipid, Digestive organ