Effect of Lolium multiflorum Lam. as a Substitute Feedstuff for Ducks in a Rice-DuckFarming System

摘要

Rice-duck farming is a sustainable food system that provides rice and duck meat and eggs. Excessive application of commercialfeedstufffor ducks weakens the sustainability of rice-duck farming. This study aims to investigate green forage fLolium multiflorum Lam.) as a substitute for commercial grain mix, to attain a maximum economic benefit and pollution-free production in rice-duckfarming. The effects of a mixed feedstuff of green forage and commercial grain mix with a stable ratio of 1:4 (MFSR), mixturefeedstuff of green forage and commercial grain mix with dynamic ratios (MFDR), and full commercial grain mix (FCGM) were studied. Results showed that Cherry Volley and hybrid ducks were more adaptable to mixedfeedstuff than Mud ducks. Groivth of ducks was classified into rapid, slow and steady-growth stages. The weight, body length, neck length, and chest circumference of ducks that were fed MFDR were only slightly decreased. The carcass weight, eviscerated weight, and semi-eviscerated weight of ducks fed MFDR were similar to those fed FCGM. MFDR significantly decreased duckfat accumulation. MFDR did not have negative impacts on theagronomic traits of rice yields. Duck profits per 667 m2 were calculated as CNY (Chinese Yuan) 254.91 (MFSR), Cm309.27 (MFDR), and Cm39.36 (FCGM). MFDR effectively improved the rice-duck farming.